National Orange Shirt Day

Whereas recommendation 80 in the Truth and Reconciliation summary report calls for a National Day 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; And whereas September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day across Canada and beyond, as a day to commemorate the survivors of residential schools, to remember those who did not survive, and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a better future for all children; And whereas ceremonies observing Orange Shirt Day are held across Canada and beyond; And whereas the Assembly of First Nations, at their national conference in 2014, unanimously passed a resolution in support of Orange Shirt Day: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the federal government to declare September 30th, Orange Shirt Day, a national day to honour survivors, their families and their communities, to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.