Orange Shirt Day and Recognizing the National Day for Truth and … – Gazette

Friday, Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
St. John’s campus
To recognize Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation taking place on Sept. 30, five smudging ceremonies and lessons will take place across campus on Friday, Sept. 29. Participation is voluntary, but we encourage everyone to take the time to observe, listen, and learn. Smudging is a First Nations purification ceremony involving the lighting of sacred medicinal plants. Smudging often happens in spaces in which First Nations knowledges are shared. Through these smudges we seek to familiarize the Memorial community with the practice and its significance. Smudging is also one of many traditional practices residential schools actively disparaged and disrupted in the effort to assimilate students. The final smudging ceremony will be followed by a brief talk about reconciliation, and a campus walk from the Bruneau Centre to Juniper House to tie orange ribbons.
All students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in or observe the smudging cermonies and lessons, and to attend the educational walk hosted by the Indigenous Student Resource Centre and the Office of Indigenous Affairs.
Wearing or displaying orange is a symbol of solidarity with those who survived residential schools and an act of remembrance for those who never made it home. There are buttons available at the resource tables, and orange shirts available to purchase at the Bookstore (UC-2006, all proceeds will be donated to First Light)
Presented by Office of Indigenous Affairs; Indigenous Student Resource Centre

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