Vancouver Island University (VIU) marked September 30 as a day of reflection and recognition, honoring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation alongside Orange Shirt Day. This occasion serves as a solemn tribute to the Indigenous children who attended residential schools, particularly those who never returned home and those who survived, as well as their families and communities.
VIU takes this opportunity to encourage its community to consider the lasting impact of residential schools. The university emphasizes the collective role everyone plays in the truth and reconciliation process, which begins with acknowledging historical truths. Understanding that these realizations can be distressing, VIU offers resources and support for those who need assistance.
Dr. Dennis Johnson, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of VIU, expresses that wearing orange serves as a daily reminder of the commitment to reconciliation. He stresses the importance of making Indigenous students visible and supported, informing oneself about the country’s true history, and aligning institutional practices with these truths. Dr. Johnson acknowledges the deep colonial roots in post-secondary institutions like VIU and underlines the need for collaboration, healing, and substantial change as part of the indigenization effort.
As participants in Orange Shirt Day reflect on the lives lost and affected by residential schools, the university community is reminded of the impact on surrounding communities and families across Canada. For Dr. Johnson, wearing orange transforms remembrance into concrete actions, ensuring that all voices within VIU are heard and valued.
Emily Huner, VIU’s Chief Financial Officer and Strategic Transformation Advisor, embraces the symbolic gesture of wearing an orange shirt, recognizing it as a small but significant effort. She reiterates her commitment to the principles of truth and reconciliation—political will, joint leadership, trust-building, accountability, and transparency. As a settler in Canada, she acknowledges her ongoing responsibility to contribute positively towards healing the harm and trauma inflicted on Indigenous peoples, particularly in making Indigenous students feel safe and included at VIU.
Carolyn Russell, Vice-President of Students at VIU, wears orange as an emblem of solidarity and support for residential school survivors, committing to the continued journey of truth and reconciliation. Dr. Claire Grogan, Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic, views the wearing of orange as part of personal acknowledgment and responsibility along the path toward reconciliation, emphasizing reflection on past harms and celebrating Indigenous resilience and courage.
Through these actions and reflections, VIU reaffirms its dedication to fostering an environment of understanding and change, actively participating in the journey toward truth and reconciliation year-round.