The artwork, featuring interlocking hands made to resemble a sweetgrass braid, is by OCAD U alum Mariah Meawasige (Serpent River First Nation).
Saturday, September 30, 2023 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), a day to honour, reflect on and recognize Survivors of Canada’s residential school system, the Indigenous children who never returned home, their families and their communities.
This year, since the event is on a Saturday, the University is organizing events prior to the day to commemorate the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day.
Important notices
- Classes are cancelled on Fri., Sept. 29; however, the campus will be open.
- The OCAD U community is asking people to refrain from booking meetings where possible.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at OCAD U
Every Child Matters Fundraiser
Sept. 18 to 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) is selling orange toques for $20 (cash, credit and debit accepted) to raise funds for Finding Our Power Together's Orange Heart Club program. All proceeds will be donated to FOPT.
Toques are available for purchase weekdays from Sept. 18 to 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the ISC, 113 McCaul St., Room 410. Toques will also be available for purchase on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby at 100 McCaul St. Toques are available for Indigenous OCAD U students at no cost, for a limited time. Please contact or visit the ISC for more information.
The artwork in the toque’s design, featuring interlocking hands made to resemble a sweetgrass braid, was created by OCAD U alumni Mariah Meawasige (Serpent River First Nation).
INVC 10 years: Swimming with Nigig panel discussion
Sept. 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of OCAD U’s Indigenous Visual Culture (INVC) Program in the Faculty of Arts and Science, and in conjunction with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Faculty of Art presents a panel discussion: INVC 10 years: Swimming with Nigig.
This past summer, the INVC program mounted an exhibition called Nigig Diving the Depth: 10 years of Indigenous Visual Culture at OCAD U, which showcased the talent and diverse practices of the INVC community, including work by current and former students and faculty members.
This panel discussion will continue this dialogue and provide an opportunity to envision what the next 10 years of program might look like.
Moderated by Assistant Professor Susan Blight, Chair of the Indigenous Visual Culture program, the panel will bring together artists from the INVC 10-year anniversary exhibition (Assistant Professors Jason Lujan and Sadie Red Wing,) and invited guest, Bonnie Devine, Associate Professor Emerit and founding Chair of the INVC program and the INVC Student Centre. Together, they will reflect on the program, its impact and their artwork from the show.
Please join us for this opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the INVC program and celebrate the artists and scholars who have participated in the program over the past decade.
Orange Shirt Day
Sept. 30, all day
Wear orange as a symbol of remembrance and to acknowledge the inter-generational impacts of the residential schools. This day was started by Survivor Phyllis Webstad to commemorate when, at age six, her clothes, including her new orange shirt gifted by her grandmother, were taken away on her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in British Columbia.