TNDC News

TNDC Marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 30, 2021, marked Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, established to honour the children who died while attending residential schools and the survivors, families and communities still affected by the legacy of the residential school system. To show our support, TNDC team members joined our clients at project sites to wear orange shirts in remembrance of the lost children and survivors. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation builds on the grassroots momentum of Orange Shirt Day.

Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, Phyllis’s shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again. Forty years later, on September 30th, 2013, Phyllis spoke publicly for the first time about her experience, beginning the Orange Shirt Day movement. On September 30th each year, people across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. The Canadian government designated September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, beginning in 2021.

The TNDC team stands in solidarity with Tahltans and other indigenous people across Canada who attended these institutions and their families who continue to suffer from this tragic legacy. We reflect with emotion and hope for healing, compassion and reconciliation and a brighter future for Canada’s indigenous people.

TNDC’s Red Chris TIA construction team in their orange shirts, which were provided by our client, Newcrest Red Chris Mine.