Brandon University (BU) is partnering with the community for a week of activities, both on-campus and off, to mark Truth and Reconciliation Week in Brandon.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. We take this time to reflect on our past and the harm done by Canada’s residential school system, as well as to learn about Indigenous history and culture. This is also an occasion to look forward and to reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation.
Brandon University’s activities support community-wide events organized by our partners in the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council (BUAPC) and reflect our ongoing efforts to welcome Indigenous knowledge and worldviews into our perspective.
Brandon University will be closed on Tuesday in observance of the national holiday, but members of the BU community are encouraged to take part in events at the Riverbank Discovery Centre, including the Orange Shirt Day Walk to the Brandon Residential School site and the 1 km Mini Orange Shirt Day Walk, beginning at noon. Activities at the Riverbank Discovery Centre will take place throughout the day. Follow the BUAPC Facebook or Instagram pages for the latest updates.
A list of BU events can be found below. Please feel free to reach out to Communications@BrandonU.ca with any other initiatives you wish to share with the campus and they will be added to our full list of BU events and gatherings at BrandonU.ca/indigenous/indigenouslearningopportunities/truth-reconciliation.
- Indigenous Art Speaker Series: Cheryl L’Hirondelle | Sept. 25
Cheryl L’Hirondelle is an award-winning singer/songwriter, music producer and artist whose Indigenous family roots are from Papaschase First Nation and Kikino Métis Settlement. Her talk will take place at 7 p.m., at the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art.
- Beading Babes Craft Sale| Beaded Orange Shirt Pins| Sept. 26
The BU Beading Babes will be selling beaded orange shirt pins in honour of Truth & Reconciliation week outside the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre during the afternoon. The sale is tentatively planned to start at noon, but the pins sell out quickly, so feel free to drop by a little early or contact the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre (IPC) for updates.
- Indigenous Art Speaker Series: KC Adams| Sept. 29
KC Adams is a registered Fisher River Cree Nation member living in Winnipeg, KC has had several solo and group exhibitions and residences and has been in three biennales. Twenty pieces of KC’s Cyborg Hybrid series are in the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery of Ottawa. Her talk will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Room 206 of Clark Hall.
- Public Presentation: Dr. Eloy Terena | Sept. 29
Dr. Eloy Terena, Vice-Minister of Brazil’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and a BU ELAP Doctoral Visiting Student in 2019, will speak at the Gathering Space of the John E. Robbins Library from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The topic will be “Exploring Brazilian and Canadian Research Partnerships for the Betterment of Indigenous Peoples.”
- Intention Ceremony | Oct. 3
An Intention Ceremony is a mindful practice that involves prayer and the offering of tobacco. The purpose of an Intention Ceremony is to offer tobacco to state what your intentions are for the upcoming season. What do you want to achieve/accomplish in this season? Indigenous Peoples’ Centre Anishinabek Knowledge Keeper Barb Blind will lead the Intention Ceremony with a smudge and tobacco offering. The gathering will take place at the Turtle Ceremonial Fire Pit between noon and 1 p.m. We welcome all deans, faculty, staff, and students to join us in setting intentions in a good way for the upcoming academic year.
- Survivors’ Flag | Sept. 26 – Oct. 5
The Survivors’ Flag will fly in front of Brandon University. The design of the flag incorporates symbols representing family, children, the spirits of children who never returned home and several more cultural elements. More information on the Survivors’ Flag and the symbolism represented in its design can be found at NCTR.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag.
- Orange Shirt Activity | “Every Child Matters because…” | Sept. 29 – Oct. 3
Join the IPC in honouring Truth & Reconciliation week and complete your own orange shirt by sharing why Every Child Matters and what Reconciliation means to you! Your shirts may be put up at the IPC or in your own area. A table with supplies will be located outside of IPC.
- Wear Orange | Sept. 29 – Oct. 3
Every Child Matters – Orange Shirts available for purchase on campus and in the community. Proceeds from BU Campus Books orange shirt sales will be donated to Indigenous educational charities. BU will be closed on Orange Shirt Day, but you are encouraged to wear orange at any time throughout the week. The Bobcats athletic teams will mark the occasion by wearing orange shirts in practice.
- Bailey’s Cafe | Oct. 2 – 3 and 6 – 10
In honour of Truth & Reconciliation week, Bailey’s Cafe will offer two specials: Stew and Bannock; and Bannock and Berries, bannock topped with a house-made compote and drizzled with BU Honey.
- LibGuides, Virtual Displays and more!
The BU John E. Robbins Library offers a collection of books and resources that raise awareness about Canada’s Residential School system. A virtual display has also been set up at: LibGuides.brandonu.ca/Virtual_Displays/Indigenous_Interest.
- Braid Symbol – Email Signature
Faculty and staff are encouraged to incorporate the braid symbol from Mamaawii-atooshke aakihkiwiin, the BU Strategic Plan, in their email signatures. The use of the braid in the Strategic Plan was inspired by Indigenous peoples and represents being stronger and more resilient together.
- Connect with BU colleagues at Community Events
BU’s Diversity & Human Rights Office invites you to reach out if you would like to connect with others from across campus at various community events. Contact Cheryl at FlemingC@BrandonU.ca.
