As early childhood educators and child care workers, we are often part of children and families’ first contact with the education system, making it extremely important that we understand the role played by the system in separating Indigenous families and harming First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Turtle Island. Today, September 30th, marks the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day), but Reconciliation is an ongoing process and requires daily practice.

Orange Shirt Day is a day for mourning the children who never came home and for honouring the experiences of survivors. Indigenous communities live with the consequences of the residential school system everyday, and today is a day filled with extra heavy feelings, especially for Indigenous educators who might not find space for grieving in their own work. We see you and hold space for you. For non-Indigenous folks, learning the truth and intentionally engaging in Reconciliation can be shocking and cause a lot of discomfort. While these are vastly different experiences, they are both valid. We invite non-Indigenous educators to sit with their discomfort and engage in meaningful conversations and take today as an opportunity to challenge previous knowledge.