Dear Everyone,

The Art Gallery of Ontario operates on land that is Michi Saagig Nishnawbe (Mississauga, Anishinaabe) territory and the territory of the Wendat and Haudenosaunee. Today marks Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning about the history of residential schools, survivors, their families and communities, and the ongoing intergenerational effects of the residential school system.

If you are on-site today, you will see signage inviting visitors to be in reflection and spend time exploring contemporary Indigenous artists and artwork from across Turtle Island in J.S. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art (on level 2),  Robert Houle’s installation Seven Grandfathers (2014) in Walker Court, the solo exhibitions of Michael Belmore (also on Level 2), Shuvinai Ashoona (on Level 4), and the work of Norval Morrisseau and Kent Monkman (on Level 1).

In recognition of the importance of this day, we invite staff and volunteers to take time today to engage in learning, reflection and acknowledgement of the history of this country and the lived experiences of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples within the borders of Canada. The following are some resources and AGO content to support you.

Resources

• AGO content:
  • AGO Insider story: A day to remember and reflect
  • A Continued Conversation on Residential Schools – June 2021

• Read about the deep history and 94 recommendations from the TRC report:
• The Survivors Speak – A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 
• Canada’s Residential Schools: The History, Part 1 Origins of 1939
• Canada’s Residential Schools: The History, Part 2 1939 to 2000
• Canada’s Residential Schools: The Inuit and Northern Experience
• Looking Forward, Looking Back: Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

• Read the commentary article Truth and Reconciliation in the Arts and Culture Sector by the Arts Insights monthly publication

• Participate in virtual events for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
  • www.honourtheday.ca
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation -Truth and Reconciliation Week (live and recorded sessions)

• Listen to testimonials from survivors of Residential Schools:
  • Legacy of Hope – Where are the Children
  • Legacy of Hope – Escaping Residential Schools Virtual Exhibition
  • Residential Schools Podcast Series

• Watch a documentary:
  • Phyllis Webstad – On Orange Shirt Day (2021, 7 mins)
  • Every Child Matters: Truth – Act One (2020, 46 mins), National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
  • Mashkawi-ManidooBimaadiziwin Spirit to Soar (English Version, 44 mins), Tanya Talaga
  • Holy Angels (2017, 13 mins), Jay Cardinal Villeneuve
  • We Were Children (2012, 1 h 23 mins), Tim Wolochatiuk
  • We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016, 2h 43 mins), Alanis Obomsawin
  • Sisters & Brothers (2015, 3 mins), Kent Monkman
  • Second Stories – It Had to be Done (2008, 22 mins), Tessa Desnomie

• Consider taking a course:
  • Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education (Starts September 30 for 6 weeks) – a free course by the University of British Columbia exploring how Indigenous histories, perspectives, worldviews, and approaches to learning can be made part of the work we do in organizations, communities, and our everyday experiences in ways that are thoughtful and respectful. In this course, reconciliation emphasizes changing institutional structures, practices, and policies, as well as personal and professional ideologies to create environments that are committed to strengthening our relationships with Indigenous peoples.

• Read a book:
  • The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
  • This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Sonny Assu, Brandon Mitchell
  • Sugar Falls – A Residential School Story by David Alexander Robertson
  • Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
  • Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga

•  If you have the financial means consider donating by contributing to:
  • Legacy of Hope Foundation 
  • Indian Residential School Survivors Society 
  • Save the Evidence – Woodland Cultural Centre

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

Cian B. Knights (pronouns: she/her)

Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Note: To participate in something more structured, Ruth Hartman, Volunteer, shares these additional links, noting the TRC reading challenge:

https://www.passemuraille.ca/trcreading/  and the main site  http://trcreadingchallenge.com/  (thank you, Ruth!)