On September 30, 2021, as we observe the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CBS remembers and honours all the Indigenous children who were taken away from their families and never returned home. We also remember the children and their families who survived the residential school system.
Phyllis Webstad’s story brought tears to our eyes. An orange shirt that six-year-old Phyllis was wearing, was taken away from her, on her first day in residential school. On the Orange Shirt Day website, she recounts the memory of her grandmother buying the shirt for her to wear on her first day in school, despite her limited means. Phyllis says she never saw her orange shirt again.
Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 and has since spread to schools across Canada.
Committed to the truth, CBS promises to stand by it as our country embarks on a journey of reconciliation. We join our voices to ensure that the tragic history of residential schools is never forgotten.
This solemn day as we observe the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we remind each other of the work we have left to do to ensure justice and meaningful reconciliation.
As we continue to learn and grow in our actions, and as we strive to explore ways in which we can support survivors and their families toward healing, we remember the words of Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair: “Reconciliation will not be easy and it will take time, but to make it happen, we must believe it should happen….”
We believe.