Commemorating ’Orange Shirt Day’ – the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
While September 30 is the ’official’ day to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the staff of Lax̱g̱alts’ap Village Government gathered this morning dawning orange shirts with the beautiful design created by a local Nisg̱a’a youth artist Trinitee Willie.
In the summer a business partner, Hazelwood commissioned an art contest with local Lax̱g̱alts’ap artisans. We thank Trinitee Willie, Todd Stephens, Lisa Stephens, Judith Moore and Harry Martin for their beautiful submissions.
Trinitee’s design depicts four young children representing each Nisg̱a’a tribe of Lax̱gibuu (Wolf), Lax̱sgiik (Eagle), G̱anada (Frog/Raven), and Gisḵ’aast (Killerwhale) sitting facing a tree with deep roots.
The Orange Shirt Society website explains the history of Orange Shirt Day, “In 2015, the Society was formed to create awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools with the purpose of supporting Indian Residential School Reconciliation and promoting the truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS.”
A limited supply of shirts were printed and community members who attended the Lax̱g̱alts’ap VIllage Government public meeting on September 24 all received a shirt.
Wishing all Lax̱g̱alts’ap citizens a wonderful Truth and Reconciliation Day weekend!
