ATHABASCA TRIBAL COUNCIL CALLS ON ALL CANADIANS TO USE THE NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION AS A DAY TO LEARN, HONOUR, AND REFLECT ON INDIGENOUS HISTORY IN CANADA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(September 24, 2021, Fort McMurray, AB) – Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) calls for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be a solemn day to learn and reflect on Indigenous history and participate in ways that honour survivors, those who never came home, and their families.
In June, the federal government passed legislation making what was previously known as Orange T-Shirt Day on September 30th a national statutory holiday. As a result, many organizations, businesses, and schools are providing an operational day off.
ATC invites everyone to visit The Orange Path website to start or continue their journey to reconciliation. ATC initiated the Orange Path movement to offer guidance to Canadians on their journey to truth, reconciliation, and allyship. ATC is also supporting Indigenous survivors and community members on their journey to healing under The Orange Path. Everyone is encouraged to visit www.orangepath.ca to learn more about ways they can be supported on their journey.
"Canadians must reconcile their understanding of history with the truth of the atrocities against Indigenous people," said Chief Adam, President of the Athabasca Tribal Council. "I hope that everyone will take this statutory day not as a holiday but as an opportunity to take the time to honour the dead, the survivors, and the families who carry the burdens of trauma today. Honour them by learning the truth. Reconciliation is a journey that lasts more than one day. We hope all Canadians will visit The Orange Path website and use the resources there to continue their journey beyond September 30th.”
ATC's first priority under Truth and Reconciliation is always to recognize, honour and support the survivors and the families of the Indian Residential School System, the 60s Scoop, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirits+. ATC has been working with local organizations to create coordinated programming for survivors and family members. Grounded in honouring through ceremony and wellness activities, the virtual programming will allow community members to participate in activities from several local organizations supporting their healing journey.
ATC Community Members who are survivors or family members can sign up for workshops at https://www.orangepath.ca/warriors. The current workshops are offered virtually, with additional pre-recorded tutorials being uploaded soon. To keep our Elders and community member safe from the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, these events are only being offered virtually at this time. Healing is an ongoing process, and opportunities to recognize, honour, and support survivors and their families throughout the year will continue. Programming will be offered in a virtual setting until it is safe to host in-person activities once again.
The second priority of ATC and these local organizations is to provide Canadians with the tools and resources that are helpful in starting or continuing their journey to Truth and Reconciliation. Working collaboratively, ATC has organized learning resources into tool kits. The resources have been sorted into categories by age, or content appropriate for businesses who wish to increase awareness of Indigenous perspectives, or into content suitable for organizations remaining operational on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and wish to honour the day with the proper intention. The tool kits can be found at https://www.orangepath.ca/your-journey.
“Seeing our community organizations come together to help others on their journey has been inspiring and a source of learning and healing for all involved,” said Karla Buffalo, CEO of the Athabasca Tribal Council. “The resources that have been researched to create the tool kits are on The Orange Path website and have something for every Canadian to learn from in any format they prefer to learn, be it reading, listening, or watching. Our collaboration with these organizations made sure there were resources for every person to use. I hope that all residents of Wood Buffalo will use September 30th and the days going forward to reflect and continue their journey on the Orange Path to reconciliation. I hope that our Indigenous community members can use the day to further their healing journey. This journey will continue to take place beyond a single day, and ATC will be here to support it."
The local businesses and organizations involved in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities include:
Arts Council Wood Buffalo
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Athabasca Tribal Council
Centre of Hope
Chipewyan Prairie Déne First Nation
Fort McKay First Nation
Fort McMurray 468 First Nation
Fort McMurray Catholic Schools
Fort McMurray Public Schools
Keyano College
McMurray Métis
Mikisew Cree First Nation
Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo
Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre
Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association
Pawâmiw Creative
Pride YMM
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
The Salvation Army
Waypoints
Wood Buffalo Regional Library
Wood Buffalo Wellness Society
YMCA of Northern Alberta
ATC Community Members who are in need of emotional support are encouraged to call the Athabasca Tribal Council's IRS Support Worker, Lyn Chartrand, at 780-799-2461, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all Indigenous people.
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ABOUT ATHABASCA TRIBAL COUNCIL
Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca.
For more information:
Karla Buffalo
Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca
Main Office Phone: (780) 791-6538