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The Survivors’ Flag, which honours Indigenous lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada, has been raised across the 91�Թ�’s three campuses as the community prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

On the St. George campus, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), in partnership with First Nations House and the 91�Թ� Office of Indigenous Initiatives, raised the Survivors’ Flag at Varsity Stadium earlier this month. 

It will be lowered to half-mast on Sept. 30 when the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is formally recognized across Canada.

Flags have also been raised at 91�Թ� Scarborough and 91�Թ� Mississauga.

“Recognizing the painful history of Canada’s residential school system, and the tragic consequences that are still being felt today, is a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.

“It’s also a time for settlers to reflect on what they can do to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples in order to build a better future together.”

The 91�Թ� community is invited to honour the experiences of residential school survivors by joining  being held in the Great Hall at Hart House on Sept. 30 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will have the option to register to attend the event in person or register to watch the live-stream on YouTube.

The event will feature a keynote address by Shirley Cheechoo, Canadian Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of Weengushk Film Institute, who will be introduced by Benji Jacob, a fourth-year psychology student from 91�Թ� Mississauga. There will also be a land acknowledgement by Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, a student at the Faculty of Music and vice-president of student life at the faculty’s undergraduate association, welcoming remarks from David Kim, warden of Hart House and remarks by 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler and William Gough, acting vice-president of 91�Թ� and acting principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough. 91�Թ� Chancellor Wes Hall will deliver closing remarks.

While wearing any orange shirt is a show of solidarity, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives has partnered with the 91�Թ� Bookstore on a limited supply of orange t-shirts that feature an award-winning design by MJ Singleton, an Ojibwe, two-spirit student from Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation who is studying at 91�Թ� Mississauga. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts will be directed to the Orange Shirt Society.

Members of the 91�Թ� community are also encouraged to use the Orange Shirt Day  and , featuring Singleton's design.