This week marks Truth and Reconciliation week, a time to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools and commit to playing a part in advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.  

The week concludes with Orange Shirt Day on September 30, a grassroots movement started by Phyllis Webstad in 2013 to honour the survivors and victims of residential schools. In 2021, the day was recognized by the Government of Canada as a federal holiday and named the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

In the lead up to Orange Shirt Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, there are events and initiatives across U of G that students, faculty and staff can participate in to reflect on the history of residential schools, honour survivors, the children that never returned home and their families and commit to everyday actions. 

The University of Guelph acknowledges its immense role and responsibility in indigenization and reconciliation and continues to work alongside First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, guided by our Indigenous Initiatives Strategy, Bi-Naagwad | It Comes Into View. 

By taking time to learn, listen, reflect and get involved, our individual and collective efforts can contribute to building understanding, trust and healing in our campus community. 

Learn how you can get involved and learn more on the Indigenous Initiatives website. 

Events 

NCTR Truth & Reconciliation Week 2024 Public Lunch & Learns

Join the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for a series of virtual lunch and learn sessions throughout TRC Week to facilitate learning for Canadians. These sessions will feature a range of speakers and will provide audience members with the opportunity to ask questions and engage in further conversations. 

  • Monday, Sept. 23 to Friday, Sept. 27, daily from 1 to 2 p.m. (virtual)

Seven Canopy Teaching Walk

Walk through the Mtigwaaki Trail with Cara Loft, the Education Developer, Indigenous Knowledges and Pedagogies in the Office of Teaching and Learning. Explore the Land and learn about the Seven Canopy Teachings brough to us by Elder Duke Redbird. Meet at the Hales-McKay shelter by the parking lot. 

  • Monday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (The Arboretum) 

Connecting – Resilience – Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation (CRITR) Online Discussion Group

Each session will feature readings from the CRITR Workbook, followed by a guided discussion. All levels of familiarity are welcome in this safe and inclusive space. If you would like, you may purchase your own copy of the workbook. Sessions will be led by Dr. Sara Stricker from the Guelph Turfgrass Institute and are open to students, faculty and staff. 

  • Monday, Sept. 23 to Friday, Sept. 27, daily from 3 to 4 p.m. (virtual) 

Mawadisidiwag | They Visit Each Other

Reconciliation is all about relationships. This ‘tea and talk’ session is an opportunity to share, explore and learn together. Participants are invited to bring forward topics and questions to ignite conversations. This session will be hosted by Cara Wehkamp, AVP (Indigenous Initiatives) and is open to all students, staff and faculty at the University of Guelph. 

  • Tuesday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to noon (University Centre 430)

Gryphons Read 2024: And Then She Fell, Alicia Elliot

Each year a book authored by a Canadian writer is selected to be shared and read by the campus community. At the Gryphons Read event, meet the author of this year’s pick, Alicia Elliot, a Mohawk writer and editor living in Brantford Ontario who is already well-known for her far-reaching voice and contributions as a contemporary Indigenous thinker. 

  • Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. (McLaughlin Library Whitelaw Room) 

Special Hospitality Menus

Enjoy a special menu curated by U of G chefs featuring Indigenous ingredients and recipes at Mom’s Kitchen and Nature’s Best.   

  • Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (UC Chef’s Hall) 
  • Monday, Sept 30, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. (Creelman)

Drop-In Support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Students

Join the Indigenous Student Centre community for support and a place to relax   

  • Monday, Sept. 30, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Indigenous Student Centre) 

Walk for Reconciliation

Come together at Maada’oonidiwag and walk to Branion Plaza. The sculpture is located on the lawn north of the Art Gallery of Guelph building. Individuals are encouraged to join us along the route – crossing at College Avenue and Gordon Street, across Johnston Green, along the Library and down Winegard Walk to Branion Plaza to arrive for the Reflections at 10 a.m. 

  • Monday, Sept. 30, 9:40 a.m. (Art Gallery of Guelph Sculpture Park)

Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation

Gather with the campus community to honour survivors, the children who never returned home and their families and communities. Hear words of truth from the experiences of survivors and reflections on reconciliation. Those unable to attend are encouraged to take a moment for personal reflection throughout their day.   

  • Monday, Sept. 30, 10 to 10:30 a.m. (Branion Plaza)

Afternoon Tea with the Guelph Turfgrass Institute

The Guelph Turfgrass Institute will be hosting an intimate Afternoon Tea to celebrate the official unveiling of the Sweetgrass in their teaching garden. Faculty, staff and students are welcome. RSVP to gti@uoguelph.ca.

  • Wednesday, Oct. 2, 3 p.m., (Guelph Turfgrass Institute)

Ongoing initiatives 

Purchase an Orange Shirt at the Bookstore

  • On Orange Shirt Day, U of G community members are encouraged to wear an orange shirt, the colour orange, or other clothing or accessories that show solidarity with Indigenous communities as a visible show of support. Orange shirts can be purchased at the U of G Bookstore; $5 from every sale will be donated to the Survivor Secretariat, an organization that organizes and supports efforts to uncover, document and share the truth about what happened at the Mohawk Institute during its 140+ years of operations. 

Mtigwaaki Trail in the U of G Arboretum

  • Reflect as you take a walk on the Mtigwaaki Trail to engage with the land and learn from interpretive signs that explore the understanding of the forest from an Anishinabek perspective and call us to act on how we can better treat Mother Earth. 

Exploring Indigenous Narratives and Worldviews Collection

  • To support the University community toward reconciliation, we’d like to draw your attention to a variety of works that highlight Indigenous writers, content, and research frameworks in this digital collection titled Exploring Indigenous Narratives and Worldviews—a collection developed in collaboration with Indigenous Initiatives and the Indigenous Student Centre at U of G. Within the overarching collection, there is a sub-collection focused on reading for Truth and Reconciliation.In addition to the digital collection, we invite you to browse a print collection of popular titles by Indigenous authors, located on the first floor of the library. 

Guelph Turfgrass Institute Embarks on Reciprocal Learning Project about Sweetgrass

  • After extensive discussions with Indigenous community members and stakeholders on campus, and drawing inspiration from Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass, the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) embarked on a reciprocal learning project centered around sweetgrass.As researchers of grasses, recreational landscapes, and environmental stewardship, the institute is deepening their understanding of the cultural significance of sweetgrass through the wisdom shared by Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Métis Knowledge Holders and Elders. Some mentors have provided sweetgrass plantlets from different regions across Ontario for the GTI to establish a sweetgrass stand within the Teaching Garden as a valuable resource for the Indigenous Students Centre. They hope that this part of the Teaching Garden will empower students, scholars, and community members to learn about the honourable harvest and the traditional uses of sweetgrass. The long-term vision is to support Indigenous environmental scholarship and research with the guidance and support of our community partners.GTI gives thanks to Dan and Mary Lou Smoke, Miptoon, Maya LaRose, Sweetgrass Dan, Cidalia, Steve Winterhawk, Brad Howie, Jennifer Parkinson, Dave Skene, Sarina Perchak, Natasha Young, Cara Wehkamp, Ryan Prosser, Susan Chiblow, and the many community members who continue to engage in this ongoing conversation. This project was supported by the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Enhancement Fund.

Support for Indigenous Students, Staff and Faculty 

Indigenous Student Centre 

  • Indigenous Student Advisor
    Ally Stoett is available for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students. Email indigenous.student@uoguelph.ca to connect
  • Drop In Support for Indigenous Students
    Drop in on September 30 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Indigenous Student Centre in the Federal Building at 620 Gordon Street.

Student Counselling Services

  • Call 519-824-4120 ext. 53244 to book an appointment

Student Support Network

Good2Talk

  • Call 1-866-925-5454 or text “UofG” to 686868

Here 24/7

  • Call 1-844-437-3247 for crisis services

Guard Me Student Support Program for International Students

Employee and Family Assistance Program

  • Call 1-800-663-1142. 

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line

  • 24-hour crisis support for Survivors and their families, call 1-866-925-4419

Hope for Wellness

  • For immediate emotional support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, call 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca 

Related posts:

  1. U of G Recognizes National Truth and Reconciliation Week  
  2. U of G Recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
  3. Message for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
  4. U of G Is Acting on Indigenous Initiative Strategy