Belleville, ON, September 22, 2022 – Next week, Loyalist College remembers the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Loyalist College students and employees will gather, grieve and learn at events held on campus each day from Monday, September 26 – Friday, September 30 to acknowledge the truth of our collective history and to mourn the lives of the lost children.
“Our goal is to provide non-Indigenous members of our community with resources to expand their understanding, and to create a safe space for our Indigenous community members to mourn together,” said Jennifer Maracle, Director of Indigenous Services. “Next week’s events are the beginning of a process – a step to create a broader framework for incorporating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into all aspects of life at Loyalist College.”
The schedule of events begins with an opening address and tobacco ceremony at the A’nó:wara Learning Circle at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 26. Throughout the week students, staff and faculty can participate in activities including, dancing, painting, drum making, and the Kairo blanket exercise. These activities offer participants opportunities for cultural exchange, education and commemoration. Loyalist encourages all students, faculty and staff to join in these events.
On September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Loyalist College community members are invited to wear orange and observe a campus-wide moment of silence to honour the lives of those who were taken from their communities and placed in the Indian Residential School System. To date, more than 2,100 unmarked graves have been found at former residential school sites across Canada.
“Truth and Reconciliation Week is a time for us to come together for education and reflection,” said Mark Kirkpatrick, Acting President of Loyalist College. “As a post-secondary institution, Loyalist College has a responsibility to be a resource for our community members to understand our history. I encourage everyone to take time during the week to learn about our shared history so we can collectively advance the Calls to Action from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
Click here to access resources and information about the history of residential schools. Click here to learn more about Indigenous Services at Loyalist College.
About Loyalist College
Loyalist College is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within. Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $396.3 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2021 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact:
Braden Root-McCaig
Director of Marketing and Communications
647-523-4300
brootmccaig@loyalistcollege.com