This Monday, Sept. 30, marks the fourth observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the 11th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day.
As Chief of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), I want to recognize the importance of this day both to our community and to our friends and partners. My hope is that as we share our history, cultural and language heritage, and truths as Tsleil-Waututh people, that we have these truths acknowledged, understood, and shared by everyone.
These lands and waters have sustained our People since time out of mind. We have a sacred obligation to restore and protect them for the benefit of our next seven generations and all members of the wider community.
We are sharing our truth, our existence, and our jurisdiction of who we are. We are telling our story, in our own voice, which shapes the way people see us today as Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a strong, forward-thinking, and proud community on the shores of səlilwət (Burrard Inlet). Through this lens, we can reach a deeper understanding across all cultures, and bridge ties with our neighbours.
At our community gathering for Sept. 30, we are honouring Indigenous leaders who have carried the heavy work of reparations over the years, to bring the Band Reparations Class Action lawsuit to settlement, in support of survivors.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a solemn one, but we are coming together to also pick our spirits up and allow joy to touch all Tsleil-Waututh members to help with healing. At our gathering, members will celebrate Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s truth: our ancestral and enduring ties to our territory, our family lineage, our rich culture, and our hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. Our ancestors stood up for us and we will always uphold their teachings.
In previous years on Sept. 30, our səlilwətaɬ community retraced the steps that my dad and our relatives took every day to and from residential school. The trauma caused by residential schools is felt by our survivors as well as intergenerationally. Our Nation will forever provide healing support to survivors, including wraparound health and wellness programs to ensure they receive holistic and culturally safe care.
As you are driving through our community along Dollarton, we encourage you to take note of the orange banners displayed on light poles and consider why it’s important to us to honour our residential and day school survivors. The illustration on the banner depicts a moon face, rain, lightning and plant kin, and was designed by Tsleil-Waututh artist Ocean Hyland.
I encourage everyone to keep your hearts and minds open in learning about the suffering and trauma that we and our relatives endured at residential and day schools. We welcome our allies in supporting Tsleil-Waututh Nation day school and residential school survivors by donating to our Residential School Survivors Fund (twnation.ca/how-to-support-twn). Your contribution will make a difference in our members’ healing journey.
As People of the Inlet, we have always been here and we will always be here. We are here to care for our land and water. We will continue to uplift the work of truth and reconciliation, making our ancestors and Elders proud.
Jen Thomas is the elected Chief of Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
The National Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of residential school experiences: 1-866-925-4419.
