Today, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women joins people across Canada in observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
We honour the First Nations, Inuit and Métis children who were forcibly taken from their families and communities and placed in residential schools. We remember the children who never returned home, and we honour the survivors, families and communities who continue to live with the profound and intergenerational impacts of the residential school system.
September 30th is a day of remembrance, but remembrance alone is not reconciliation.
Reconciliation requires us to confront the truth of Canada’s history and recognize that the harms inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples are not confined to the past. The legacies of colonialism continue to shape the realities Indigenous communities experience today.
CCMW recognizes our responsibility to listen to Indigenous voices, learn from survivors, challenge discrimination and colonial systems, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
Solidarity also requires action.
We encourage our community to use this day as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, learn about the lands on which we live, read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, seek out the voices and work of Indigenous authors, educators, Elders and organizations, and reflect on the role each of us can play in advancing meaningful reconciliation.
Reconciliation is not the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples. It requires all of us to listen, learn, acknowledge uncomfortable truths and translate that knowledge into meaningful and sustained action.
Every Child Matters. Today and every day.
Learn, Support & Take Action
We encourage those who are able to support Indigenous-led and Survivor-centred organizations doing this work:
Orange Shirt Society: Founded by residential school Survivor Phyllis Webstad, the organization supports education about the residential school system, honours Survivors and their families, and advances truth and reconciliation.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): Provides culturally safe, barrier-free programs and services to residential school Survivors and people experiencing intergenerational trauma.
Survivors’ Secretariat: Works alongside Survivors and communities to support truth, healing, remembrance and the ongoing work of reconciliation.
We also encourage everyone to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action and consider how you can advance reconciliation within your own workplace, school, organization, family and community.
