Courtesy First Peoples' House
As the first person to serve in the University of Alberta's new role of Vice-Provost Indigenous Programming and Research, Dr. Florence Glanfield has a lot of ideas she wants to explore and work she wants to do. But guiding this work is her goal of "changing the narrative of University of Alberta's relationship with Indigenous places and communities. One of the processes that we will engage in is starting to document the history of what's been done in terms of Indigenous initiatives efforts at the University of Alberta over the last 100+ years. This is timely looking ahead to strategic planning as we need to know where we came from to know where we are going."
"I want the [U of A community] to fundamentally think about our practices and programs and their ties to our colonial legacy," Dr. Glanfield says. "How do we become a space that values, respects, and acknowledges multiple knowledge systems and multiple perspectives?"
One such demonstration of respect is participation on Orange Shirt Day, a national annual event on September 30 that recognizes and remembers the children and families affected by the Indian residential school system. Glanfield encourages everyone in the university community to participate in Orange Shirt Day in some way - for example, wear an orange shirt as part of a commitment to reconciliation by acknowledging the experiences of Indgenous children and the residential school system in our collective histories. This year Glanfield was gifted with an orange heart filled with sage made by Indigenous high school students to wear on Orange Shirt Day.
In 2018, the U of A First Peoples' House partnered with artist Jerry Whitehead to create a unique orange shirt for members of the U of A community. These shirts are sold on North Campus at the bookstore, and all proceeds go to the First Peoples' House to support inter-generational residential school survivors and reconciliation efforts by funding cultural programming for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students. These shirts can also be purchased online.
Courtesy First Peoples' House
Orange shirts are also available at the bookstore at Augustana Campus, and proceeds will be used to support Indigenous Student Services at Augustana. Students, staff, and faculty at Augustana Campus are invited to gather for an Orange Shirt Day Photo on September 30 at 12:05 pm at North Fireplace, Forum.
Orange Shirt Day Art Installation in Education South
To further engage with the significance of Orange Shirt Day, Dr. Glanfield encourages everyone to participate in these campus activities:
Connecting Spirit to Our ChildrenConnecting Spirit to Our Children |Friday, September 27, 9 am - 6 pm, 4th floor Education Lounge, Education Building North
Join the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program for their event featuring an alumni panel (9:30 a.m.), keynote by Dr. Leona Makokis (1:00 p.m.), and a Round Dance (3:00 p.m.) featuring the Blackstone Singers.
Anyone interested in attending Connecting Spirit to Our Children are asked to register via email through atepuofa@ualberta.ca. Please make sure to include your name, organization, address, how many guests you are bringing and if you will be attending during the morning, afternoon, or full day. are asked to register via email through atepuofa@ualberta.ca. Please make sure to include your name, organization, address, how many guests you are bringing and if you will be attending during the morning, afternoon, or full day.
Songs of HopeSongs of Hope | Friday, September 27, 12 pm - 1 pm, Enterprise Square Atrium
Listen to Cree songs, opera, and fiddle music while shopping the Indigenous artisans market, making crafts, and enjoying bannock and tea.
The Sixties Scoop LegacyThe Sixties Scoop Legacy| Monday, September 30, 12 pm - 1 pm, Room 105 Law Centre
Hear from a Sixties Scoop survivor and other speakers discuss the Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement. RSVP to apryl.gladue@ualberta.ca.
Orange Shirt Day Film Screening and PanelOrange Shirt Day Film Screening and Panel | Monday, September 30, 2:30 pm - 4 pm, Telus Centre 150 (Auditorium)
View the short film Breaking Stigmas: Munto Wiyasowewin (Creator's Law) and engage in a conversation with the filmmakers Heidy Panameno and Tyler Duffy. The film features Patrick Buffalo, a KisikawPimoteyew (Daywalker) from the traditional territory of Maskwacis, and a residential school survivor. Hosted by the Faculty of Education.
Orange Shirt Day Art InstallationOrange Shirt Day Art Installation | Through October 4, main floor of Education South
The Department of Secondary Education invites everyone to participate in their installation commemorating Orange Shirt Day.
The installation asks people to share their commitments to reconciliation on a slip of orange paper and attach it to the display, which utilizes the faculty's peace poles with yarn and QR codes with resources for teaching reconciliation. At the end of the installation, the yarn and commitments will be saved in a time capsule to be opened in 2030.
To learn more about residential schools, Dr. Glanfield recommends the following books that she's personally used in her teaching. These books offer diverse accounts of the many experiences of residential schools.
● We Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential SchoolsWe Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools
● Residential Schools: With the Words and Images of SurvivorsResidential Schools: With the Words and Images of Survivors by Larry Loyie
● Speaking My Truth: Reflections on Reconciliation and Residential SchoolSpeaking My Truth: Reflections on Reconciliation and Residential School
● Shin-Chi's CanoeShin-Chi's Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell
● Shi-shi-etkoShi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell
● My Name is SeepeetzaMy Name is Seepeetza by Shirley Sterling
● Fatty LegsFatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
● Sugar Falls: A Residential School StorySugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David Alexander Robertson and Scott B. Henderson
For more information about the meaning and importance of Orange Shirt Day, visit the First Peoples' House Orange Shirt Day website.First Peoples' House Orange Shirt Day website.