National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
SEPTEMBER 30 2022As you may be aware, the government recently passed legislation to make September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day provides an opportunity for the public to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event.
West 4th will be acknowledging and taking part in this day through a variety of campaigns:
STREET BANNERS
Street Banners will be going up this September with words and phrases in Hul̓q̓umín̓um̓, an Island dialect of the Halkomelem language. Hul̓q̓umín̓um̓ and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ are dialects of the same language - Halkomelem. All are considered Coast Salish languages. The host nations are hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Skwxwú7mesh Snichim speaking peoples.
The street banners will also have artwork by artist Charlene Johnny, a Quw’utsun artist, currently residing on unceded Musqueam Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh territory.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM
We will be featuring artwork by Charlene Johnny, quotes and facts about Orange Shirt Day as well as Coast Salish words and phrases on our Instagram page as we lead up to Orange Shirt Day.
Follow along at @shopwest4th
ORANGE SHIRTS
We encourage West 4th businesses and the community to wear orange shirts to acknowledge this day. We handed out shirts last year and hope these can we proudly worn and displayed in windows for many years to come.