(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

Truth and Reconciliation Day

TRU commemorates Truth and Reconciliation Day

Sep 29, 2023 | 5:25 PM

KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University students and faculty created a sea of orange shirts on Friday (Sept. 29) to commemorate Canada’s third annual Truth and Reconciliation Day, taking place on Saturday.

During the ceremony, Indigenous speakers shared their stories and experiences around residential schools.

“[It’s important for] the Indigenous students – that their voices are heard and understood, that their experiences – I don’t think there are any Indigenous students that aren’t affected or haven’t been affected by Indian residential schools,” TRU’s Associate Director for the Office of Indigenous Education, Vernie Clement, told CFJC News. “Bringing awareness about that to the general public so that the students, whether they’re international or domestic students, wherever they came from, that they start learning about what the stories are, what happened and the people that were involved.”

Among the speakers was TRU student Nate Naziel.

“It’s important that universities and institutes like to host events like this to show their dedication to truth and reconciliation,” Naziel said.

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During the ceremony, Naziel shared his personal experiences in the hope of inspiring other Indigenous members of the community.

“I just hope that any Indigenous student out there who’s been impacted by colonialism isn’t going to be deterred away from a post-secondary education… regardless of if you’re a late bloomer or if you go in straight from high school,” he said. “I implore you to go out there and get that degree.”

While Friday’s event was about sharing the voices of Indigenous community members, Clement hopes non-Indigenous attendees are inspired to learn more.

“Like what was shared today, learn more about what happened. There are resources out there,” Clement said. “People have written their stories, they’ve told their stories. Now, it’s time to honour those stories and learn about what happened. Learn about them and what they can do in terms of taking action.”