To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this September 30th, we are inviting you to participate in a community-wide project on Hornby Island that brings awareness to and reflects upon reconciliation with Indigenous people, communities, land, and water.
We are collecting submissions for a community display that will represent our commitment and support for reconciliation and serve as a visual reminder that every child matters.
There are two ways to contribute:
- Using an orange sheet of paper, follow the instructional video below and learn how to create a paper rose symbolizing how we, as a community, honour the children of residential schools.
- On an orange sheet of paper, draw a circle. Inside the circle, respond to the question: what does reconciliation mean to you?
Submissions can be dropped off at the Free Post in the Co-op in the Hornby Arts box. (Look for the orange sign)
We encourage you to bring your rose or circle (or both!) to the Co-op before September 30th so that it can be displayed on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. However, submissions will be accepted until Oct 5th.
It is traditional to Coast Salish and many Indigenous cultures to gift your first creation as a gesture of care and honour, and to remind us to put others before ourselves. Our community display will be up at the Co-op until late October after which the orange paper roses will be gifted to K’omoks First Nation.
In addition to participating in this project, there are many other ways to show your support!
Join the Comox Valley Spirit Walk taking place between noon and 7pm on September 30th in Courtenay. Participants are invited to drum, sing, or just walk and remember. Everyone is asked to please wear orange in remembrance of Indigenous children and families affected by residential schools and other child apprehension programs. Register at Harmston Park on the day, or call 250-871-7353 for more information.
Sign a letter written by The Council of Canadians calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Marc Miller, Federal Minister of Indigenous Services, and local MP Gord Johns to end drinking advisories in all First Nations.
Read or reread the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Donate to the Indian Residential School Society, a provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors.
Engage with Indigenous voices, ideas, and stories through literature and books for all ages.
There are many more ways to support. We would love to hear from you with your links and resources and grow this list! [email protected]
Thank you for your participation!