Saskatoon Tribal Council Launches Online Campaign to Take Action on Reconciliation | The Canadian News

Reconciliation is not just one day a year. That is the message that the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) is trying to promote.

The Canadian government passed legislation in June to make a federal statutory holiday called National Truth and Reconciliation Day, which took place for the first time on September 30.

On Wednesday, the seven First Nations representative body in Saskatchewan announced its campaign on social media asking people to continue to raise awareness and action using the hashtag #ActOnReconciliation.

“#ActOnReconciliation – is an opportunity for deeper discussions and education to support the new National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and the survivors of residential schools,” a statement from STC reads.

“With the discovery of thousands of nameless graves at residential school sites, Canadians have had to face the dark truth of our shared colonial past and the devastating legacy of residential schools.

“An essential aspect of healing our communities means that Canadians acknowledge the truth of what happened and acknowledge that #EveryChildMatters.”

The campaign invites people to take action on reconciliation by doing the following:

1. Wear orange on the last Friday of every month.
2. Take photos or create videos.
3. Share how you will take action on reconciliation.
4. Post your content on social media using #ActOnReconciliation.
5. Invite others to do the same. Help create a #ActOnReconciliation movement.
6. Repeat monthly until September 30, 2022.

“Sharing how we will take steps in the future to achieve reconciliation is the path through the dark history of residential schools to heal our intergenerational trauma and improve the quality of life for our people,” said the STC tribal chief, Mark Arcand, in a press. release.

“It is by coming together in a common cause, like the #ActOnReconciliation movement, that we build community and strengthen relationships to move forward in a good way.”

1:49Ice wolves crown Truth and Reconciliation Day in La Ronge

This past September 30th marked the first Truth and Reconciliation Day in Saskatchewan. The provincial government proclaimed the day to honor lost children, survivors and those affected by Canada’s residential school system.

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day to anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.