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Diversity, equity & inclusion at Altus Assessments
What is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
On June 3, 2021, a bill to establish Sept. 30 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation statutory holiday received royal assent, completing one call to action:
THE CALL TO ACTION #80:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal Peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.“(source)
The goal is for citizens to take a moment to pause, reflect, and learn about this dark and painful chapter in Canadian history and to recognize the abhorrent treatment of Indigenous populations. 1️⃣
The date coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which commemorates how First Nations children were taken from their communities and forced into residential school systems. 2️⃣3️⃣
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a report that includes 94 calls to action. The Canadian government has fulfilled 13 of the 94 calls to action. (updated Sept 9, 2021) 4️⃣
🧐Find “Relevant learning” near the bottom of the page to learn more about 1️⃣- 4️⃣!
Why do we care about this issue?
At Altus,
We recognize that this nation, like many, was built on the displacement and ethnic cleansing of Indigenous peoples and systems that were put in place to erode Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, and self-actualization. As settlers on this land, it is critical for us to acknowledge that the violence and displacement of Indigenous peoples is not a figment of the past as is often stated, but rather an active and ongoing act of colonization. Many Indigenous families today continue to face the trauma experienced throughout history and the perpetrators have still not been brought to justice for their crimes. Indigenous peoples remain marginalized and oppressed in our societies, and violence against Indigenous communities persists.
At Altus, we are engaging and building relationships with Indigenous teachers and consultants to explore the structures and barriers to entry into health sciences for Indigenous people. As you may know, our goal is to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into the blueprint of our assessments and develop content that is safe for Indigenous applicants.
Relevant learning
1️⃣ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 marks a new Canadian statutory holiday in order to recognize the legacy of residential schools and the abhorrent treatment of Indigenous populations.
4️⃣ Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
This national holiday will provide Canadians with an opportunity "to honour Survivors, their families, and communities." Learn about the status of each of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action at Beyond 94.
2️⃣ What is Orange Shirt Day?
Orange Shirt Day is a movement to honour Indigenous children and educate ourselves about the residential school system's impact on Indigenous communities. It officially began in 2013, but in reality, it started in 1973 when six-year-old Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School outside of Williams Lake, BC.
Watch a video to learn about Phyllis's story.
☑️What non-Indigenous Canadians need to know
Eddy Robinson is an educator on Indigenous issues. In this web series called "First Things First," Robinson explains why asking "How Can I Help?" is not the right question.
3️⃣ What do we know about the search for missing Indigenous children across Canada?
[Content warning: emotional and mental trauma caused by the impact of residential schools - including abuse and death.]
Canada mourns the deaths of more than 1,000 Indigenous children. The national outrage has triggered a reckoning over Canada’s legacy of residential schools.
☑️ Indigenous Peoples — learning at your fingertips
How can I take action in my personal life and affect change within my community?
Check out the mobile app below! Learn about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives. You will learn why reconciliation matters.
Have you learned something new?
For your continuous learning, choose a related Crescendo topic:
Type “/crescendo” within Crescendo in Slack
Click “Switch Journey” to select People’s Identities and select the topic, “Indigenous Peoples”