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This coming Saturday is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. At St. Lawrence, the day was recognized yesterday through activities at the college.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) is an opportunity to honour the memory of victims of residential schools, and to talk about the injustices committed toward Indigenous people throughout Canada's history. Students and staff were encouraged to wear orange shirts on Tuesday, in honour of Orange Shirt Day, the alternate name for the NDTR, and to take part in the programming organized by the college. 

We welcomed guest speaker Alexandre Dumais-Dubé, who is Anishnaabe from Kitigan Zibi and works with the Cercle des Premiers peuples at Université Laval. He began his talk by introducing himself in Anishnaabemowin and talking a bit about his culture. He brought with him a large eagle feather, which was given to him by his father, from an elder in the community. Last July, at the time of Pope Francis's visit to Quebec, a group of 13 Indigenous people from 5 nations, Dumais-Dubé among them, walked from Lac Saint-Jean to the Plains of Abraham over the course of 6 days. The feather was given at the occasion of this walk. It is a symbol for resilience, leadership and perseverence.

Dumais-Dubé mentioned that the St. Lawrence auditorium was an unusual venue for the sharing of knowledge, and that usually this would be done in a circle. The talk took a conversational format, with Dumais-Dubé reflecting on aspects of Truth and Reconciliation, and inviting questions from those in attendance. He spoke about residential schools, the difficulties faced by Indigenous people, and his own personal experiences as an Indigenous person.

Truth and reconciliation means seeking justice and healing, said Dumais-Dubé, and reconciliation requires prior and free consent. The focus is always on the Reconciliation, he said, but for Indigenous people, Truth is key. Even if the problem isn't yours, he told students, you can be part of a solution.

In addition to hearing from Dumais-Dubé, students were encouraged to visit an information kiosk in the atrium to learn more about the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Dumais Dubé advised selecting one or two of these calls to action and personally working towards them, as a way for individuals to engage with Truth and Reconciliation. If you would like to learn more about the Calls to Action, you can visit https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524494530110/1557511412801. You can also learn more about Indigenous peoples by consulting the books on display at the library this week.