This September 30th, 2021, VEERUM will honour and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory day for all VEERUM employees to support reconciliation and justice for Indigenous people.
Acknowledging September 30th as a day of education and reflection directly addresses #80 of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
While the Government of Alberta urges all Albertans to reflect on the legacy of residential school systems, it left the decision to implement a statutory day up to employers.
David Lod, VEERUM CEO, encourages this opportunity for learning:
“I encourage all employees to use this day to educate themselves on the history of the residential school system and reflect on how we can be better allies and partners with the Indigenous community. By acknowledging and commemorating this day, we are taking a necessary step in the journey for understanding and reconciliation.”
There are several ways to take action on September 30th:
Wear an orange shirt on September 30th to honour survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Learn more about Orange Shirt Day here.
Read about the legacy of the residential school system, through resources such as the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada online course or the Indigenous Knowledge Portal.
Learn the rest of the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report.
Donate to an Indigenous charity or organization, such as the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
Participate in online events such as Truth and Reconciliation Week.
VEERUM is committed to supporting inclusivity and diversity as a core strength of our company. Recently, we were honoured to participate in a fundraiser for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. VEERUM is focused on bringing forth positive change every day and developing new ways to make an impact.