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= BB OPINION Oakville Beaver | Thursday, September 29, 2022 | STEPHANIE SCOTT Column Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Recon- ciliation. This new na- second year, is an oppor- tunity for all Canadians to learn about the treat- fom A Chicken Strips 27-33 PIECES 1.36 kg Bacon Wrapped Chicken 4 PIECES x 142 g/5 oz ALL PRICES IN EFFECT ment of Indigenous Peo- ples in the residential School system and other colonial institutions — and the lasting harm that was done. Itisalsoan opportuni: ty to reflect on canallplaya Rares in ‘neal, ings these harms. anada's first Nation- al bay for Truth and Re onciliation came not long after the Tk'emltps te Secwépemc announced that a large gravesite had been located on the grounds of the former Kamloops residential school. This announce- ment, and findings across the country, has led Set- tler Canada to engage with the history of resi- dential schools ferent way, allowing a new conversation to take place. For too long, the hon- est truth of this shameful part of Canada's history was hidden and denied. The children were pres- sured not to tell their sto- ries. Reports of abuse, ne- glect and suffering were ignored. In fact, signifi- cant efforts to acknowl- Bacon Wrapped Beef Top Sirloin Steaks 4 STEAKS x 142 9/5 oz TO UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. E1@ mmfoodmarket.com ite tadhion imply ship cai I Psa a acartae of reg cnluse offers, MEM Food Maret Express and other non- ional stores offer a insidehalton.com TRUTH IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASIS OF RECONCILIATION CANADIANS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH OF OUR SHARED HISTORY, WRITES STEPHANIE SCOTT edge this history, such as Canada's official apology and the Truth and Recon- ciliation Commission, only happened because of years of persistent efforts by Survivors. ‘ven now, there are some who still deny the fundamental truth of the residential school system — that its explicit pur- pose was to destroy First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, communities and languages. Truth is the funda- mental basis of reconcili- ation. Without acknowl- edgement of the truth, it is impossible for Survi- vors to heal and for com- munities to rebuild. The National Centre for Trutha ili their tion believes that all Ca. nadians — and especially allstudents—need to derstand the truth of ot our shared history. That's why we have worked with Survivors, Knowledge Keepers, and munity partners to create a full week of free Programming. g Truth and Rec- onciliation Week, from Sept. 26 to 30, we will bring the voices of Survi- vors directly to class- rooms from coast to coast to coast and introduce young people to Indige- nous culture, language and history. Age-appropriate mate- rial for students in grads 1 through 12 will be freely 543 gs Bs a tent will be available for public access starting Sept. 29. On Sept. 30, Canadians can honour the Survivors and the children whonev- er came home by wearing orange, as a symbol of change. People can aa tend events in communi- ties across the country and watch a live com- memorative broadcast taking place from unced- ed Anishinabek Algon- quin territory in Ottawa. But reconciliation re- quires more than 01 in the days ahead is to lis- ten to Survivors, ponour their truths, and lea: how we can all contribute to reconciliation in our daily lives. Stephanie Scott is exec- utive director of the Na- tional Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Truth and Reconciliation Week programming is available for everyone through the NCTR YouTube channel and website (nctr.ca). Follow the centre on Twit- ter and Instagram at @nctr_um, and Facebook at @nctr.ca. VITA QUEENS AVENUE 056 Queens Avenue, Oal