Dear members of the McGill community,
On the eve of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, known as Orange Shirt Day, I join Associate Provost Pedri-Spade in inviting you to take a moment to reflect on the sorrowful history and enduring legacy of the residential school system and accompanying policies that operated in Canada in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and its devastating impact, past and present, on our fellow First Nations, Inuit and Métis citizens, their families, and their communities.
Every year on this solemn day, the McGill community pauses and looks towards this difficult past, to learn and remember, and to renew our collective and individual commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. We are firmly committed to advancing Indigeneity at McGill and to ensuring that our campuses are safe spaces where a healing climate of reconciliation prevails.
To honour the victims, Survivors, and their families, and to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada, McGill University is lowering its flags to half-mast, and the façade of the McCall MacBain Arts Building will be lit by orange light for three days.
Each one of us is called upon to make an individual journey, to reflect and to learn, in order to pave the way for dialogue and mutual understanding, and thus take reconciliation further. To this end, I encourage you to explore the Resource Hub offered by McGill’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives as well as the resources offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, but above all, to embrace the opportunities for direct interaction and learning with Indigenous colleagues, friends and neighbours, on our campuses, and beyond.
I close by inviting you to help raise awareness by wearing an orange shirt today and tomorrow, and to participate in the events taking place at McGill and in Montreal to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
With best regards,
Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)
To learn more about the residential school system
A formal residential school system for Indigenous children operated in Canada from 1863 until 1996, with evidence of schools having existed from the seventeenth century. In total, more than 130 federally supported schools were established in nearly every province and territory. Between 2008 and 2014, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) heard and documented the testimonies of approximately 7,000 residential school survivors. Acknowledging that the number of deaths in the residential schools is likely significantly higher than what is officially known, the TRC’s Calls to Action include an appeal to the federal government to accurately detail the number of children who died and to locate their bodies so that they can be properly memorialized.
Orange Shirt Day was inaugurated in 2013 by Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, with the shirts themselves recalling the orange shirt that was taken from Phyllis (Jack) Webstad the day she entered a residential school at six years old.
The members of the McGill community in need of support should reach out to the resources below.
A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support to residential school Survivors and those affected. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
The Hope for Wellness helpline can be reached 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310.
First Peoples’ House Services: Academic Support | Cultural Support | Community Support
Keep.meSAFE is a 24/7/365 mental health counselling service available to McGill students
Learn how to access care from the Student Wellness Hub *please note that the Wellness Hub is not available to students registered in School of Continuing Studies programs and courses
School of Continuing Studies students can access mental health services, including access to professional psychologists, as per their plan agreement
For peer-based support, students can reach out to Nightline or Chatline, or reach out to the Peer Support Centre for online appointments and drop-ins
International students who have Medavie Blue Cross insurance are covered for online medical consultations and memberships with Maple Virtual Care
Eligible faculty and staff may contact the Employee and Family Assistance Program