"Your truth and your reconciliation as well is going to be the teaching tool for all of those generations that are still following in your footsteps."
-Elder Lekeyten, Elder in Residence at KPU (2021)
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008 -2015) documents the history and intergenerational impacts of Canada’s Residential School system that continue today.
Photo: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Bentwood Box
Commissioned by the TRC in 2009, the Bentwood Box travelled with the TRC to its eight national events throughout Canada, where people placed personal items into the box to symbolize their journey toward healing and expressions of reconciliation.
Coast Salish artist Luke Marston steamed, bent, and carved the box in the traditional style from a single piece of sacred, old growth red cedar. The artistic styles and imagery in its carved panels represent the distinct cultures of former First Nations, Inuit and Métis residential school students.
After its travels with the TRC, the Bentwood Box was featured at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in an exhibit on Truth and Reconciliation. It is now in its permanent residence at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) where it continues to be a symbol of hope.
KPU Event:
Commemorating Truth and Reconciliation: Readings by Á'a:líya Warbus, Indigenous Artist-in-Residence with KPU Faculty of Arts; and readings by Molly Cross-Blanchard, Indigenous Writer-in-Residence with KPU Faculty of Arts, from her book of poetry, Exhibitionist
September 29 - 3:30 pm – 4:30pm
Location: The Gathering Place at KPU Surrey, and online
RSVP: Artsevents@Kpu.ca
External Events for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day
Note: Times are given in Pacific Time.
Indspiring Change @ Home with Duncan McCue
September 20 - 4:00 pm – 5 pm
Educating future leaders about truth and reconciliation in Canada
September 27 - 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
We Were Children (2012) Film Screening
September 27 - 4:00 – 6:00 pm
We Were Children - Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (ubc.ca)
A Calls to Action Conversation on Truth and Reconciliation
September 29 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Walking Forward Together: Day of Learning
September 29 - 8:50 am – 2:30 pm
Orange Shirt Day with Deborah Johnson from the Orange Shirt Society
September 29 - 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Orange Shirt Day | UBC Sauder School of Business
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation - Port Moody Station Museum
September 30 - 10:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Cedar Harvesting with Elder Jeff Welch and Katłįà Lafferty
September 30 - 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Orange Shirt Day @ Templeton Pool Welcome Garden
September 30 - 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day (UBC)
September 30 - 11:00 am - 2:30pm
Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day - Event | UBC Applied Science
Orange Shirt Day
September 30 - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: VAFC & Grandview Park
Britannia Community Services Centre Orange Shirt Day | (britanniacentre.org)
On Truth and Reconciliation with James Harry
September 30 - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
On Truth and Reconciliation with James Harry - Vancouver's North Shore (vancouversnorthshore.com)