On Friday September 30, the University will hold space to honour, reflect, and recognize Survivors of Canada’s residential school system, the Indigenous children who never returned home, their families, and their communities.
This year, informed by our commitment to build meaningful relations and to further amplify the significance of ongoing work in the University, we encourage you all to participate in a series of events and programming during the week of September 26 to 30 to commemorate this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which also coincides with Orange Shirt Day.
Important notices:
- Classes normally held on Friday, September 30 are cancelled; the make-up day for these classes is Wednesday, December 7.
- The OCAD U community is encouraged to refrain from booking meetings where possible. The campus is open.
- On September 30, all members of the OCAD U community are invited to join a sunrise ceremony at 7 a.m. led by Elder Liz Osawamick in Butterfield Park. Later that morning, join a round dance and poetry readings by Anishinaabe poet Duke Redbird and Cree Poet Laureate of Parliament Louise B. Halfe from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Events
Every Child Matters Fundraiser
Sept. 27 and 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main lobby, 100 McCaul St.
Purchase an orange toque for $20 (cash only) in support of raising funds for the Orange Shirt Society. The artwork in the hat features a design of interlocking hands made to resemble a sweetgrass braid, is by OCAD U alumni Mariah Meawasige (Serpent River First Nation). Toques can also be purchased by students and employees directly from the Indigenous Student Centre in MCC 410, 113 McCaul St. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Toques are available to Indigenous students at no cost.
Souvenir – Curator’s Tour at Onsite Gallery
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 12 :15 to 1:15 p.m.
Onsite Gallery, 199 Richmond St. W.
Join Ryan Rice, Interim Executive Director of Onsite Gallery and Curator, Indigenous Art at Onsite Gallery for a Curator’s Tour of Souvenir, an exhibition featuring the work of Mi'kmaq artist, Jordan Bennett. Capacity is limited; please register to attend.
Muffins For Granny – Film Screening and Q&A with Artist, Nadia McLaren
Presented in partnership with the Centre for Wise Practices at Women’s College Hospital
Thursday, Sept. 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
MCA 190, Auditorium, 100 McCaul St.
The documentary, Muffins for Granny is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and artist Nadia McLaren. This layered and emotionally complex story of personal and cultural survival tells the story of McLaren’s own grandmother by combining home movie fragments with the stories of seven elders dramatically affected by their experiences in residential school.
Orange Shirt Day
Friday, Sept. 30, 2022
Wear orange as a symbol of remembrance and acknowledgement. This movement 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.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Sunrise Ceremony
Friday, Sept. 30, 7 to 8 a.m.
Butterfield Park
The OCAD U community is invited to join a Sunrise Ceremony led by Elder Liz Osawamick.
Round Dance and Poetry Performance
Friday, Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Butterfield Park
Join the OCAD U community in hosting award-winning, multimedia artist Cheryl L’Hirondelle in honouring residential school Survivors and the children who did not make it home. This round dance event is made possible by the Canada Council for the Arts – Inter-Arts Program.