National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: 5 ways to mark the day

August 23, 2022

The Ring — Designed by Matthew Hickey and Jacqueline Daniel

This September 30th, make sure you take the time to reflect on the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Whether you want to participate in an event, immerse yourself in Indigenous artwork on campus, or educate yourself through research or webinars — we’ve rounded up some ways you can meaningfully mark the day, on and off campus.

1. Attend an event

Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day takes place annually on September 30 and is a global day of recognition and awareness-raising about residential schools.

To purchase an Every Child Matters Orange Shirt, you can do so from the TMU Bookstore on campus for $17.80 each ($20.00 including tax). The shirts were designed by Anishinaabe and Irish artist Lucia Laford (external link) (Waawaaskone Kwe) and created in partnership with Aboriginal Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion. 100% of profits are donated to the Orange Shirt Society.

2. Immerse yourself in Indigenous art on campus

The Ring

The Ring was installed on campus in September 2021, honouring the Dish With One Spoon Territory, the land on which the university is built. The Ring’s graphics, made by small perforations, incorporate the Seven Grandparent teachings and their animal symbols: Humility, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect and Love.

Location: Gould Street and Nelson Mandela Walk intersection

Photography by rising star Nadya Kwandibens is on display at the Ryerson Library west entrance.

Portrait of Dancer Tee Lyn Duke

Check out the beautiful 10 x 15.7-foot portrait by Nadya Kwandibens on display over the west entrance to the Library as part of the university’s commitment to increase Indigenous visibility and celebration on campus, to educate the community about Indigenous issues and to inspire meaningful conversations.

Location: TMU Library

Photo credit: Stef & Ethan

First Nations Immersive Space in the RAC

If you’re working out in the Recreation and Athletic Centre (RAC), make sure to stop by the cardio and strength circuit room to check out the floor to ceiling imagery of nature. The concept of bringing trees, plants, wildlife and water into the RAC was a collaboration between Athletics and Recreation and the university’s Indigenous Space Sub-Working Group (ISSWG).

Location: Cardio and strength circuit room, RAC

Credit: Todd Labrador and Melissa Labrador

Birch Bark Canoe

This installation, commissioned by Ted Rogers School of Management will honour the role that Indigenous entrepreneurs have played in shaping Canada’s economic history. The piece will be installed at TRSM in a special ceremony on September 25th.

Location: TRSM

Photo credit: Todd Labrador and Melissa Labrador

3. Check out these online resources

An illustration of a woman looking down on earth from the sky, roots coming from her fingers.

In Their Moccasins

In Their Moccasins is a serious game with quizzes and narrative branchings⁠ — choose your own adventure style. It is designed to build capacity for empathy for Indigenous students’ lived realities. To learn more about the project, check out this story in TorontoMet Today (opens in new window) .

Artwork credit: Kaya Joan

Generous Futures: Indigenous Perspectives Decolonizing (external link)

Tune into this dynamic discussion which addresses how the charitable sector needs to reconcile with its “saviour complex” in order to move forward. Our panelists consider what needs to shift in order to respectfully engage and build reciprocal relationships with Indigenous peoples when exploring the future of giving and sharing on Turtle Island.