Honouring Truth and Reconciliation: Gratitude, Reflection and Action

Honouring Truth and Reconciliation: Gratitude, Reflection and Action

• 30, Sep
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Today, September 30, marks Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. OCCA honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, the Survivors, and their families and communities.

Across Canada, more than 150,000 Indigenous children attended residential schools, many forcibly separated from their families. Children were denied their languages, cultures, and traditions, and many never came home. The harm caused by colonial policies and the residential school system continues to affect families and communities across generations.

We also remember the meaningful connections between Indigenous and Chinese Canadian communities. During periods of exclusion and discrimination, some Indigenous communities welcomed Chinese immigrants, forming friendships, supporting one another and building lasting family ties. These relationships remind us of our shared responsibility to stand together against racism.

At OCCA’s 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival, we were deeply honoured to welcome Elder Rose Lube and Elder Llana Teichroeb. Elder Rose offered a territorial welcome, and both Elders joined community members from diverse backgrounds for an afternoon of connection and celebration. Sncəwips Heritage Museum from Westbank First Nationalso hosted a cultural booth, sharing knowledge and engaging with festival-goers.

We are profoundly grateful to Westbank First Nation and the Syilx Okanagan people for their warmth, generosity and continued support for our diverse community. Their presence made our celebration especially meaningful and strengthened our commitment to supporting Indigenous communities.

Gratitude calls us to action. OCCA remains committed to listening to Indigenous voices, learning the truth of this land’s history, respecting Indigenous cultures and land rights, and building relationships grounded in respect and meaningful support. We encourage our members and neighbours to join us in this ongoing work.

Every Child Matters. 🧡

 

🧡 铭记历史，心怀感恩，以行动支持真相与和解

今天，9月30日，是加拿大全国真相与和解日，也是橙色衫日。OCCA 深切悼念那些未能从寄宿学校回家的孩子，并向幸存者及其家庭与社区致以敬意。

在加拿大，超过15万名原住民儿童曾被送入寄宿学校，其中许多被强行从家人身边带走。他们被禁止使用自己的语言、实践自己的文化与传统，许多孩子再也没有回家。殖民政策与寄宿学校制度造成的伤痛，并未随着学校关闭而结束，其代际影响至今仍存在于许多家庭与社区之中。

我们也铭记原住民与华裔社区之间相互扶持的珍贵情谊。在华裔遭受排斥与歧视的岁月里，一些原住民社区接纳华裔移民，与他们建立友谊、互相帮助，甚至形成家庭纽带。这些故事提醒我们，面对种族歧视，应当彼此支持、携手同行。

在刚刚举办的 OCCA 2026中秋节庆祝活动中，我们十分荣幸地迎来了 Rose Lube 长老和 Llana Teichroeb 长老。Rose 长老为活动致以领地欢迎，两位长老与不同文化背景的社区成员共度了一个充满温暖与团圆情谊的下午。来自 Westbank First Nation 的 Sncəwips Heritage Museum 也在现场设立文化展位，与参加者分享原住民文化与知识。

我们由衷感谢 Westbank First Nation 和 Syilx Okanagan 原住民对我们多元社区的热情、善意与持续支持。他们的参与让这次庆祝更加意义深远，也坚定了我们以行动支持原住民社区的决心。

感恩，也意味着行动。OCCA 将继续认真聆听原住民的声音，学习这片土地的真实历史，尊重原住民的文化与土地权利，并以真诚、尊重和切实支持建立长久的关系。我们也邀请社区成员与我们一起，将真相与和解融入日常生活与行动之中。

Every Child Matters｜每一个孩子都重要。🧡