BU marks Truth and Reconciliation Week with guest talk and events

A talk by residential school survivor Tony Stevenson will be one of the events recognizing Truth and Reconciliation Week at Brandon University (BU).

Truth and Reconciliation Week at BU takes place from September 26 — 30, 2022, providing a time to reflect on the harm done by Canada’s residential school system.

Organized by the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre (IPC), Stevenson’s talk will be held on Monday, Sept. 26, from 9 — 11:30 a.m., in the Gathering Space of the John E. Robbins Library, as well as on Zoom.

Stevenson, who spent 10 years at the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School, was later recruited to work with two law firms on residential school compensation. He was a recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work on abuse awareness and was recognized by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and Abex Awards for his role in developing a First Nationals work program with Conexus Credit Union.

Also planned for Truth and Reconciliation:

• Leading up to Truth and Reconciliation Week, BU Teachings House will hold its Fall Equinox Gathering on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to the event, which will be held on Zoom. Information can be found at ca/Indigenous/Gatherings/Teaching-House-BU.
• Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear orange throughout Truth and Reconciliation Week. Several organizations sell orange shirts, with proceeds going to Indigenous organizations. The BU Bookstore is selling orange shirts this year, with all proceeds going to the Orange Shirt Society.
• The IPC will host an Orange Shirt Wall. A table will be set up outside the IPC and Library with paper cutouts of orange shirts. You are invited to write your thoughts on a shirt to encourage education, growth and change. The table will be set up on Monday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Downloadable paper t-shirt templates are also available in the Orange Shirt Activity Guide, so that you can print your own shirt and post it in your area.
• The John E. Robbins Library is assembling a virtual display with resources and information about Truth and Reconciliation Week and Orange Shirt Day. The virtual display will be available at BrandonU.ca/OrangeShirtDay.
• The Survivors’ Flag will fly in front of Brandon University. More information on the Survivors’ Flag and the symbolism represented on the flag can be found at ca/exhibits/survivors-flag. Additionally, tipis will be set up on the front lawn.
• Faculty and staff are encouraged to incorporate the braid symbol from the BU Strategic Plan in their email signatures. The use of the braid in the strategic plan was inspired by Indigenous peoples and represents being stronger and more resilient together. The braid can be downloaded from the BU website.
• The BU Bobcats are working on a video marking Orange Shirt Day, and will also be wearing orange shirts for practices and game warmups on Friday, Sept. 30. This includes the men’s volleyball team, which is hosting a tournament at the Healthy Living Centre.
• Brandon University will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30 in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day. More information on the history of the day can be found on the Canadian Heritage website, and at org. While BU will be closed, a number of events are taking place in communities across the country. Learn more about the events taking place in Brandon throughout the week at BUAPC.ca.

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