The Survivors’ Flag will be displayed in our lobby throughout September to honor residential school survivors and recognize the devastating impact that the residential school system had on Indigenous communities.
Truth & Reconciliation Day on September 30 honours the children who never came home and the survivors of colonial-established church-run residential schools. Residential schools assimilated Indigenous youth into Western society, eliminating Indigenous culture. These schools included psychological, sexual, and physical violence. Between 1867 and 1996, 140 federally-run residential schools operated in Canada, where thousands of children lost their lives. The lasting impact on families, communities, and Indigenous culture is still felt today. Truth and Reconciliation Day is a time to acknowledge this painful history and its ongoing effects.
The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in its creation.
To learn more about the significance of The Survivors’ Flag, please visit https://nctr.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag/.
To view a Residential School Timeline, please visit https://nctr.ca/exhibits/residential-school-timeline/.
The National Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419
Sources:
Paul Racher: The reality of Indian Residential Schools was neglect and abuse
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-reality-of-indian-residential-schools-was-neglect-and-abuse#:~:text=The%20TRC%20established%20that%20Indigenous,some%20thousands%20of%20them%20died. July 16, 2023
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
The Survivors’ Flag