Can you tell us more about yourself?
I’m in my last semester of my second degree, majoring in Native studies. I’m Plains Cree on my father’s side from Saddle Lake First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory, and Montagnais and French from my mother’s side. My identity and studies are deeply connected to Indigenous advocacy and truth-telling.
Why do you wear orange?
Orange Shirt Day is deeply personal. As the daughter of a residential school Survivor, I feel a responsibility to carry his legacy forward. My father’s voice may no longer be here, but mine is, and I’ll use it to speak his truth.
This day is about honouring courage, acknowledging pain and ensuring these stories are never forgotten.
My father attended Blue Quills Residential School, which he described as the worst years of his life. Growing up, I sensed his pain, though he rarely spoke of it. That silence was common. Only through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Orange Shirt Day did many Survivors find the space to share their truths.
On Orange Shirt Day, my dad called and said, “My girl, watch the news -- I’m on the news.” That was the first time I heard the full extent of his experience. He spoke about the abuse he endured and how his identity was stripped away. He had arrived at school with new runners, bannock and toy cars. Upon arrival, his clothes were taken, his hair cut and his scalp washed with gasoline. He was forbidden from speaking his language.
When the remains of 215 children were discovered at the former Kamloops Residential School, I laid a memorial at Saint Albert Church: two running shoes and a stuffed Donald Duck, drawn from my father’s story. It was my way of honouring him and the children who never came home.
What does Orange Shirt Day mean to you?
It’s a symbol of the children who attended residential schools and the intergenerational trauma that continues today. I don’t speak Cree because it wasn’t taught to me. My father could speak Cree, but rarely did. This loss is part of the legacy we are still healing from.
The orange shirt represents love, pride and identity. It’s a visual commitment to truth, reconciliation and healing. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to honour Survivors and remember the children who never returned. Healing begins with truth. Reconciliation isn’t about saying sorry – it’s about changing behaviour, listening to Indigenous voices and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives.
What can allyship for truth and reconciliation look like on our campuses?
To me, the Sweetgrass Bear in Main Quad, the teepee in front of the Faculty of Native Studies, and the “Welcome” mural by Jerry Whitehead in First Peoples’ House and the HUB stairwell 8914 are moves towards reconciliation. But allyship must go deeper.
Land acknowledgements should be thoughtful, not performative. They offer a chance to reflect on our relationship to the land and its original stewards. When doing a land acknowledgement, ask: What does this mean to me? How do I act on this knowledge?
Reconciliation is a process; apologies without justice and reform risk being empty. As many Indigenous leaders have said, reconciliation is not about saying sorry, it’s about changing behaviour.
Students and institutions should support Indigenous-led research, art and activism. They should engage with Indigenous educators on relational ethics and land-based knowledge. Reciprocity – giving back, volunteering, building relationships – is foundational. It’s like the air I breathe; it’s what I’ve been taught by my Elders.
How can we balance Orange Shirt Day’s reminder of the hurtful past of what is lost, with the resilience of Indigenous peoples?
We must acknowledge that the past continues to shape Indigenous realities. Universities are spaces for critical inquiry, and we must confront uncomfortable truths.
At the same time, we must celebrate Indigenous strength and cultural resurgence. Orange now symbolizes resilience and the truth that every child matters. I encourage people to wear orange and support First Nations businesses whose proceeds contribute to healing.
How do you engage in truth, healing and storytelling at U of A, and how can the campus community also participate?
Learning the history of the land you’re on. Read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Storytelling is central to Indigenous healing. Listening to Elders and Survivors fosters empathy and preserves oral histories. Artistic expression through song, drumming, painting and ceremony creates space for healing.
Are you involved with First Peoples’ House? Tell me more about your experience.
I frequently visit First Peoples’ House. I use their academic support, speak to Elders, use the smudge room and attend community events. It’s a safe and supportive place academically, spiritually and emotionally.
How can diverse Indigenous stories counter the colonial narrative?
Canada’s dominant narrative is built on the ‘myth of benevolence,’ the idea of peaceful settlement. This is so far from the truth. Indigenous peoples have endured colonization and systemic injustice, yet we remain resilient.
The “myth of the vanishing Indian” suggests our cultures exist only in museums. But we’ve never stopped being here. Residential schools tried to “kill the Indian in the child,” but they failed. We continue to rise, reclaim and celebrate who we are.
We must create opportunities to engage with Indigenous histories and perspectives. I encourage you to take the Indigenous Canada to learn from brilliant Indigenous academics.
For reflection this Orange Shirt Day, I recommend engaging with:
- The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad
- The NFB film We Were Children
- The CBC podcast Telling Our Twisted Histories
These resources offer powerful insights into the lived experiences of Survivors and the ongoing journey toward truth and reconciliation.
You黑料不打烊
