In honor of Truth and Reconciliation

The Survivors’ Flag - NCTRIn honor of Truth and Reconciliation we would like to share this powerful and meaningful story from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRCC). Education is such a valuable tool for us all. The Bayshore admin team has been attending the TRCC lunch and learns this past week. They are now available on YouTube. Click Here Below we'd like to share the story of the Survivors’ Flag. Photo Credits/with permission: Ashley Huston and National Centre for Truth and ReconciliationThe Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour #ResidentialSchoolSurvivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation. The Survivors’ flag was designed during six weeks of consultation, discussion and collaboration with Survivors from across Canada. #Inuit, #Mikmaq, #Atikamekw, #Cree, #Ojibway, #Dakota, #Mohawk, #Dene, #Nuuchahnulth, #Secwepemc, #Métis Survivors brought the flag to life by sharing their thoughts, ideas and lived experience to identify the important symbolism you see. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation ensured the Survivors’ wishes and ideas were conveyed to Vincent Design Inc. to complete the flag.Here is a breakdown of each important contribution to the Survivors Flag.The #Family: Some saw the adults as our #ancestors watching over us; others saw these as parents signifying whole families ripped apart and also reuniting to represent #healing.The #Children: More than one child is depicted in the design as often whole sibling groups were taken from their parents, younger siblings, grandparents, and community.The #Seeds: Below Ground: Represent the spirits of the children who never returned home. Although they have always been present, they are now seen and searched for.The Tree of #Peace: Haudenosaunee symbol of how nations were united and brought to peace, which in turn, provides #protection, #comfort and #renewal.#Cedar Branch: #SacredMedicine that represents #protection and #healing, but also what is used by some #IndigenousCultures when one enters the physical world and then again when they pass on to the next (i.e. medicine bath). The seven branches acknowledges the seven sacred teachings taught in many Indigenous cultures.#Cosmic: Symbolism: Represents Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets. The Sun represents the divine protection that ensure those who survived came home. The North Star is prominent as it is an important navigation guide for many #IndigenousCultures.The #Métis Sash: The Sash is a prominent ceremonial #regalia worn with pride. Certain colours of thread represent lives that were lost, while others signal connectedness as humans and resilience through trauma. All the threads woven together spell out part of history, but no single thread defines the whole story.The #Eagle Feather: The Eagle Feather represents that the Creator’s spirit is among us. It is depicting pointing upwards which mirrors how it is held when one speaks their #Truth.The #Inuksuit: Inuksuit are used as navigational guides for Inuit people and link to #tradition. Click here to learn more about the #survivorsflag: https://lnkd.in/gxda_iax if you're interested in purchasing the flag, please click here for information!! https://nctr.ca/shopNational Day for Truth and Reconciliation - NCTRContributors:AJ Felix, St. Michael’s IRSAlbert D. Marshall Sr., Shubenacadie IRSAndrew Carrier, St. Boniface Industrial SchoolArthur Steinhauer, Blue Quills IRSBarney Williams, Christie IRSDawn Hill, Mohawk InstituteDorene Bernard, Shudenacadie IRSEdna Elias, Stringer HallEugene Arcand, St. Michael’s IRSFlorence Paynter, Sandy Bay IRSGarnet Angeconeb, Pelican Residential SchoolIrma Pangborn, Camperville IRS/AssiniboiaJack Anawak, Chesterfield InletJanet Longclaws, Brandon IRSJimmy Durocher, Ile-a-la-Cross Boarding SchoolJohn Elliott, Mohawk InstituteLevinia Brown, Chesterfield InletLila Bruyere, St. Margaret’s Residential SchoolMaata Evaluardjuk-Palmer, Churchill IRSMadeleine Basile, Pointe Bleue Residential SchoolPhilip Paynter, Sandy Bay IRSPhyllis Googoo, Shubenacadie IRSPhyllis Webstad, St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential SchoolRichard Kistabish, Amos (Saint-Marc-de-Figuery) Residential SchoolRichard Lightning, Ermineskin (Hobbema) IRSRoberta Hill, Mohawk InstituteRoberta Mandamin, Cecilia JeffreySherlene Bomberry, Mohawk InstituteSylvia Genaille, Various SchoolsTerri Brown, Yukon Hall/Coudert ResidenceWanbdi Wakita, Birtle IRSTruth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada e. “The Survivors’ Flag.” The Survivors’ Flag - NCTR , URL. Sept.29, 2023.Land Acknowledgement