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Shirley Cheechoo doesn’t want to be recognized as a residential school survivor, a term commonly used to describe Indigenous Peoples who were subjected to Canada’s horrific residential school system. 

“We should be identified as residential school warriors,” said the Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of Weengushk Film Institute. 

“Calling us warriors, you empower us. You empower our children and you empower communities across the country.” 

Cheechoo delivered the keynote address at a 91�Թ� event to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The tri-campus event, held at Hart House on the St. George campus, was streamed .

She shared the horrors and abuse she endured after being kidnapped from her parents at age six and placed in a residential school. With a long-standing passion for working with young people, Cheechoo encouraged universities like 91�Թ� to partner with Indigenous leaders to fund and support Indigenous students and youth. 

Benji Jacob, a fourth-year psychology student from 91�Թ� Mississauga, introduced Cheechoo at the event, while Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, a student at the Faculty of Music and vice-president of student life at the faculty’s undergraduate association, emphasized the critical nature of the work ahead.

“There are 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 91�Թ� has 34 of their own published,” said Baghbanan. “Reconciliation cannot be an afterthought.” 

Attendees also heard remarks from several 91�Թ� leaders, including 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler and William Gough, acting vice-president of 91�Թ� and acting principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough.

President Gertler, for his part, said the 91�Թ� community is committed to advancing reconciliation across its three campuses, including by: expanding the presence of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians; incorporating Indigenous content into 91�Թ�’s curriculum; supporting Indigenous research programs; and creating physical spaces that honour Indigenous Peoples’ tradition and histories.

Flags were lowered to half-mast across 91�Թ�’s three campuses on Sept. 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is formally recognized across Canada. 

Hart House Warden David Kim thanked 91�Թ� Mississauga student MJ Singleton for designing the orange shirts worn by many at the 91�Թ� event, which depicts a mother holding hands and walking forward with her two children beneath the words “Every child matters.”

After the ceremony, a sacred fire was held for 91�Թ� community members at the newly opened Ziibiing, an Indigenous landscape project near Hart House. 

Earlier this month, 91�Թ� Scarborough hosted  from the 91�Թ� Scarborough flagpole to the Ma Moosh Ka Win Valley Trail. In addition, Orange Shirt Beading Workshops were held across the three campuses, while 91�Թ� Mississauga live-streamed the Hart House event in the Grand Hall at Maanjiwe nendamowinan. 

In his closing remarks at Hart House, 91�Թ� Chancellor Wes Hall encouraged the audience to continue sharing their stories, no matter how difficult, to ensure we do not repeat the past.