The Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association (CMLA) and The Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC) stand in solidarity with all Indigenous Peoples. On this day we encourage all Muslims to take advantage of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and learn about the history, background and healing process attached to the day honouring Indigenous communities in Canada.
September 30, 2021, marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was formerly known as Orange Shirt Day and was established in 2013. It is a day to raise awareness about the damaging effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. It is also a day to honour the children who were forced into residential schools and to learn about the legacy of the residential school system that carries into the present day. This year, September 30th has also been recognized by the federal government as the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Learn more about the origins of Orange Shirt Day.
Steps can we take to honour this day:
Take the time to learn about Indigenous history and the First Nations whose land you live on
Take the time to learn more about the history of residential schools and their impact on Indigenous children
Read the 94 calls to action and the summary of the Truth and Reconciliation Report and recognize your role in the work that needs to be done for a better future
Listen to Indigenous leaders and community members and make space for their voices
Support authentic Indigenous businesses, artists, creators and community leaders
Use the list of resources below to educate yourself further and get involved in the community
Today we call on all lawyers and community members to take this day to reflect, stand up and speak out on the tragic history of Canada’s residential school system and to commemorate the survivors, their families & communities.
RESOURCES:
Go to native-land.ca to find out whose land you live on and add this to your territory acknowledgement.
Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada http://caid.ca/TRCFinExeSum2015.pdf
Consider donating to the Residential School Survivors Society: irsss.ca
Take a tour of a residential school https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/mohawk-institute-residential-school-virtual-tour-now-available-online/
Amnesty International. "Reconciliation Means Not Having to Say Sorry a Second Time: Conversation with CINDY Blackstock, First NATIONS Child and FAMILY Caring Society." Amnesty International Canada, 7 May 2021.
Hayden Taylor, Drew, and Shiri Pasternak. "#LandBack: What Does It Mean & How Do You Enact It?" Yellowhead Institute, "X" University, Apr. 2021.
Hayden-Taylor, Drew, and Shiri Pasternak. "Cash Back: A Yellowhead Institute Red Paper." Yellowhead Institute, "X" University, May 2021.
Joseph, Bob. "21 Things You May Not Have Known about The Indian Act." Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., 2 June 2015.
McFarlane, Peter, and Nicole Schabus. "Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization." Federation of Post Secondary Educators of BC, 2017.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. "TRC Website." National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, University of Manitoba, 2021.
University of Toronto TRC Steering Committee Final Report. "Wecheehetowin: Answering the Call." Division of the Vice President and Provost, University of Toronto, 2017.
Canada. "Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples." Library and Archives Canada, 1991.