2021 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Thank you for taking part in the 2021 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage you to continue to explore ways to put reconciliation into action.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the online events on September 30. The recordings of the presentations can be found here.
AHS has been commemorating Orange Shirt Day on September 30 for many years, to recognize the history and truthful impacts of residential schools in Alberta. The Orange Shirt Day movement started in 2013 after a Residential School Survivor spoke about having the orange shirt her grandmother bought for her taken away on her first day of school when she was 6 years old. Read her story here.
Wearing an orange shirt symbolizes the harm done to residential school students and their families, and shows a commitment to the principle that every child matters. By acknowledging and understanding the truth of the past, we can take steps to move forward towards reconciliation.
This year Orange Shirt Day became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We are more unified in our grief as we follow the ongoing recovery efforts taking place near the sites of former residential schools around the country and we are inviting all AHS staff, physicians, students and volunteers to take this opportunity to consider their own reconciliation journey.
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Thank you for taking part in the 2021 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage you to continue to explore ways to put reconciliation into action.
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On behalf of the Indigenous Wellness Core (IWC), we would like to thank everyone for their participation in the first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 2021.We were so grateful to see the record number of people joining us from inside and outside of our organization for the virtual events, which truly speaks to the progress we are making. The sessions were incredibly strong learning opportunities that perhaps triggered emotional responses for some, but they are important conversations that need to take place on our journey towards reconciliation.
Thank you to the IWC events Working Group and all AHS staff who offered their support in creating an unforgettable day of education and awareness, for dedicating your time and ensuring all the virtual events ran smoothly.
To all the presenters, thank you for graciously sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us so that we may learn what we need to do on this journey. We thank you for your time and truly appreciate your participation.
And thank you to those who participated in the day’s events. We hope you continue to show your commitment to grow your understanding and knowledge about the truth of Indigenous experiences.
Together, with care and compassion, we can work to improve access to top quality, culturally safe care for all Albertans.
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AHS Presentations - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
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AHS has been commemorating Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 for many years as a way of recognizing the history and truthful impacts of residential schools in Alberta. This year Orange Shirt Day became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Thursday, September 30 - Presentations
Honouring and acknowledging the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
MC: Marty Landrie, Executive Director, AHS Indigenous Wellness Core
Opening Prayer and teachings from Elder Emil Durocher, remarks from AHS Leadership and teachings from the Indigenous Wellness Core.
Elder and Survivor Kerrie Moore will be sharing her experiences from residential school.Land Acknowledgements
Jamie Harmon, Indigenous Cultural Competency Education Team
Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Land Acknowledgements are a stepping-stone in the reconciliation process. This presentation provides a look at Land Acknowledgements through an Indigenous lens. We will talk about their significance, how to prepare one and the best way to present one. Some of the content may be emotionally triggering as we will be learning the truths of Indigenous history in Canada. These topics will include Indian Residential Schools, the 60’s Scoop, Indian Hospitals and how these historical events affected the Indigenous population.National Day of Truth & Reconciliation Teachings
Elder Casey Eaglespeaker, Chair of the Wisdom CouncilElder Casey shares his experiences in residential school that he attended from the age of 41/2.
This is a very powerful presentation that may trigger an emotional response in many.
Please reach out for support if you need to.
The Hope For Wellness Helpline is available 24-hours a day at 1-855-242-3310.Allyship = Action
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers Medical Director, AHS Indigenous Wellness Core
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers will provide a picture of Indigenous health in the province, discuss systemic racism and how allies can help by working together to bring about change. You’ll learn what an ally is and what allies can do to contribute to anti-racism in Alberta.Reconciliation: Decolonizing Health Services
Randal Bell, Senior Advisor – Indigenous Populations, AHS
Through research and personal experience, Randal will present a linear sequence of trauma that brought us to the current state of the Indigenous health crisis. Randal speaks to the difference between equity and equality in health services and the critical need for individual and systemic change. Randal will conclude by presenting a pathway to decolonizing health service through trust, mutual understanding, partnership and respect.Conversation with filmmaker Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
Join us for a discussion with the filmmaker Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, to discuss her film, Kímmapiitssini – The Meaning of Empathy, which examines the change brought by community members with substance-use disorder, first responders and medical professionals as they strive for harm reduction in the Kainai First Nation. Watch the trailer here.
Who's Listening
AHS Educational Videos
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The Indigenous Wellness Core walks us through the historical truth of the impacts of Residential Schools in Canada, that we continue to witness today. AHS strives to uphold our commitment to the TRC Recommendations for Health by providing education resources.
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The Indigenous Wellness Core walks us through the historical truth of “Indian Hospitals” in Alberta and Canada. AHS strives to uphold our commitment to the TRC Recommendations for Health by providing education resources.