Indigenous Initiatives

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, September 30, is a day to honour and uphold Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of the Residential School system, and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.

See Laurier's information and resources regarding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Some Ways to Take Action

Take responsibility to listen, learn and support the preservation of Indigenous knowledge, healing and cultural practices.
Read books by Indigenous authors and perspectives.
Engage with art made by Indigenous creatives.
Attend workshops and community groups, talk to Elders in your community, and listen to the Indigenous people you know about their history and lived experiences.
Attend Indigenous-led events.
Support Indigenous-owned businesses and non-profits.

Wearing Orange

Wearing an “Every Child Matters” orange shirt is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the truths of Canada’s past and commemorate those harmed by the Residential School System.

Events and Initiatives

Campus and Waterloo Community

Orange Rock Painting

Sept. 30 | Martin Luther University College (Common area & Courtyard) | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Join us for a moment of pause, education and action. Paint a stone for Luther's courtyard garden, read The Orange Shirt Story and engage in the continued work of reconciliation.

Bones of Crows

Sept. 30 | Landmark Cinemas Waterloo (415 The Boardwalk, Waterloo)

Join Indigenous Health Learning Lodge, in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, for a film screening of Bones of Crows and an Indigenous Artisan Market.

Truth and Reconciliation Remember Me Walk

Sept. 30 | 300 Frederick, St., Kitchener

Join the Healing of the Seven Generations for a community walk to honour and remember Indigenous children while spreading awareness reflecting on the tragedies from Residential Schools.

The Red Dress Initiative

Sept. 30 | Laurier Campus

On Sept. 30, Laurier departments on all campuses are invited to display red dresses in their work areas to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S+) individuals in Canada.

MMIWG2S Art Memorial Installation and Recognition

Oct. 3 | Southwest Library (100 Rosenberg Way, Kitchener)

A grassroots art installation to recognize and honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S) and for settlers to learn the true history of Turtle Island. All are invited to participate in a welcome, followed by a drumming circle led by Kelly Welch.

Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch

Oct. 4 | Country Hills Library (1500 Block Line Road, Kitchener)

Join Kelly Welch for a Drumming and Sharing circle. The Circle will open with a smudging ceremony with time and space for sharing the importance and relevance of Indigenous medicines and Truth and Reconciliation.

Supports, Resources and Learning

Crisis Line and Health Support Program

The Residential School’s crisis line is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of a residential school experience. Support is available at 1.866.925.4419.

Indigenous Student Services

Laurier’s Indigenous Student Services offers a variety of supports related to academics, culture and wellness and more. At the Indigenous Student Centre, you'll find various student spaces, lounge spaces, communal kitchen with fresh groceries available for quick meals or snacks, free printing and traditional medicines and smudging.

Read The Survivors Speak

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada gathered testimony from over 6,000 survivors of Residential Schools. These accounts were compiled into a report that outlined the experiences and effects of the Residential School system, establishing a historical record of its legacy and repercussions. Read The Survivors Speak for the Survivors’ stories and lived experiences.

Willow River Centre - Land Back Camp

Land Back Camp is an Indigiqueer, Two Spirit, trans and non-binary space for urban Indigenous youth and settler LGBTQ+ allies. They provide access to resources, Two Spirit teachings/programming and local advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ issues and Indigenous sovereignty for the FNIM queer community.

Learn More About Residential School History

For a period of more than 150 years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation children were taken from their families and communities to attend schools which were often located far from their homes. More than 150,000 children attended Residential Schools and many never returned.

Take Free University Courses

Several Canadian universities offer courses on Indigenous history and Residential Schools, which are available for free:

Indigenous Canada offered through the University of Alberta
Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education offered through UBC

Woodland Cultural Centre

The Woodland Cultural Centre offers a variety of tours, education programs and workshops that offer interested visitors the opportunity to learn about an assortment of topics covering the past, present and future of Southern Ontario’s First Nations peoples.

The Healing of the Seven Generations

The Healing of The Seven Generations assists First Peoples residing in the Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas. They work with individuals and families who are suffering the inter-generational impacts of the Residential School system.

Anishnabeg Outreach – Centre for Indigenous Healing

Anishnabeg Outreach is an Indigenous-led incorporated non-profit and registered charity dedicated to providing culturally appropriate services that strive to support First Nations, Inuit & Métis (FNIM) in overcoming barriers.

Crow Shield Lodge

Crow Shield Lodge is an Indigenous land-based healing and education space. Offering a place of belonging for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, through ceremony, connection and community.

Land Acknowledgement

Martin Luther University College is located on the Haldimand tract, the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This territory is part of the Two-row Wampum, Friendship Belt, and Dish with One Spoon Treaties commending all to live in peace – stewarding and sharing the resources of this land. Martin Luther University College’s holds a commitment to the work of truth and reconciliation – seeking reparation for the harms of colonization. We give thanks to the First Peoples for their sacred work of caring for this land. We commit ourselves to walking alongside of them in this work and contributing to this care. We also express our deep gratitude to the land itself, our First Mother, who provides for us in our journey from cradle to grave.