NAN to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day, Support Survivors on National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

THUNDER BAY, ON: Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Council will participate in Orange Shirt Day and National Truth and Reconciliation Day events across the province tomorrow to honour Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and the children who didn’t return home.

“I am encouraged that more and more people are taking part in Orange Shirt Day events every year. On Friday, I encourage everyone to walk with us and reflect on the legacy of the Indian Residential School system,” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum. “Many people are at different places on their healing journey, and some have not even begun to grieve because they still don’t know what happened to their loved ones. We continue to support Survivors and the families of those we have lost throughout their healing journeys and will support our communities to ensure that the identification and recovery of our children is led by Survivors and their families.”

• Grand Chief Derek Fox will participate in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s official Residential School Survivors flag raising ceremony at Hillcrest Park at 9:15 a.m.

• Grand Chief Derek Fox and Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum will join with Survivors, their families, and members of the public for NAN’s Orange Shirt Day walk in honour of Residential School Survivors. The walk will begin at 11a.m. the NAN Office (200 Syndicate Ave) and end at Pope John Paul II School (205 South Franklin Street).

• Deputy Grand Chief Victor Linklater and Deputy Grand Chief Bobby Narcisse will attend National Day of Remembrance events on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and will also attend Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events at Beechwood Cemetery.

Orange is the symbol of the annual Orange Shirt Day, named for Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, whose new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year-old girl on her first day at Residential School.

IRS Survivors, their families, and anyone requiring emotional support or assistance can contact:

• IRS Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066 (toll-free)
• IRS Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419
• NAN Hope 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673)