GALLERY: WHL Clubs unite to recognize Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Calgary, Alta. – Over the weekend, the WHL’s member Clubs united to recognize Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Teams were seen donning helmet decals depicting the WHL Truth and Reconciliation logo, which was designed by Métis artist Kim Vizi-Carmen of Pinerock Graphics. In-venue programming, including a moment of silence, to commemorate the legacy of residential schools in Canada was also present in each Club’s arena and will continue until Sunday, October 6.
These decals will also remain on the players’ helmets until Sunday, as we continue to generate awareness for Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The partnership between the WHL and Orange Shirt Society began in September 2022, with the WHL committing to contribute to the goals of the Orange Shirt Society, including:
- Supporting Indian Residential School Reconciliation;
- Creating awareness of the individual, family, and community intergenerational impacts of the Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Society activities, and;
- Creating awareness of the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is key within the reconciliation process.
On June 3, 2021, the Government of Canada created this federal statutory holiday to commemorate the legacy of residential schools. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours Call to Action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation represents an opportunity for all Canadians to listen and learn from Indigenous leaders, elders, artists, and knowledge keepers about their perspectives and experiences. All Canadians have a role to play in the experience of reconciliation.
One of the first steps Canadians can take on the journey towards reconciliation is to educate themselves by reading the 94 Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Since the closure of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has confirmed that over 4,100 individuals were lost to the residential school system.
SUPPORT: If you are a Survivor of or family member impacted by the residential school system and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419
About the Orange Shirt Society
The Orange Shirt Society was formed in Williams Lake by the founders of Orange Shirt Day to encourage and support communities to recognize Orange Shirt Day and to support reconciliation events and activities. Our goal is to create awareness of the individual, family, and community intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Day activities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
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