In July 2021, the federal government designated September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to recognize the widespread abuse of children at residential schools, honour survivors and their families and work toward reconciliation.

Holland Bloorview encourages everyone to take the opportunity over the course of this important day for reflection, learning and action. September 30 has also been known as Orange Shirt Day since 2013.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released 94 calls to action in its Call to Action report to advance the cause of reconciliation. Included in the 94 calls to action are seven focused primarily on health and the healthcare sector.

One example of how Holland Bloorview is implementing calls to action can be found through the success of our Ward Summer Student program.

In 2022, the Ward Summer Student program welcomed two students of Indigenous heritage as part of an Indigenous Stream created to advance the opportunities for Indigenous students and help foster a pipeline of Indigenous scholars into childhood disability research. Students had the opportunity to work closely with scientists within the Bloorview Research Institute including Dr. Azadeh Kushki, senior scientist and a principal investigator of the Autism Research Centre and Dr. Tom Chau, vice president of research and principal investigator of the Paediatric Rehabilitation Intelligent Systems Multidisciplinary (PRISM) lab.

Speaking about the experience in his lab, Dr. Chau says, “We benefited greatly from the Indigenous data collection approaches and contacts introduced to our lab.”

Lorraine Thomas, interim manager of inclusion, disability, equity and accessibility (IDEA), reflects on what it means to acknowledge National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a member of the Holland Bloorview community.

“As a settler on this land, who also bears the burden of history in the past and present, I reflect that Canada is full of hidden stories which must be unearthed and acknowledged. It forces me to reflect on the importance of one. Every one Indigenous child matters.  Every one Indigenous patient turned away from a hospital matters.  Every one missing Indigenous woman matters.  Every one Northern community without safe drinking water matters.  Every one matters.”

We welcome those interested to attend one or all of the following events taking place within the community.

• Drop by the front foyer of the Women’s College Hospital (WCH) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21 to purchase an orange shirt designed by the Centre for Wise Practices team. Proceeds will be donated to Toronto Council Fire’s Indigenous daily food bank program.
• Toronto Council Fire will host an Indigenous Legacy Gatheringon September 29 and 30 at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. A sunrise ceremony at 7 a.m. will begin the day’s events which run until 8 p.m. The gathering will feature cultural presenters and artists, educational workshops and a variety of food vendors, artists and artisan tents.
• On September 30 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., folks are invited to attend a panel hosted by the Centre for Wise Practices team at WCH discussing what action and accountability looks like within the healthcare system. Registration is required for both in-person attendance and virtual attendance.
• The City of Toronto offers a detailed list of educational materials, opportunities to donate and community events taking place the week of September 26.
• At 11 a.m. on Friday, September 30, Holland Bloorview will raise the Every Child Matters flag. We encourage everyone joining to show their support by wearing orange. Please join us out front by the flagpole as we pay tribute to the significance of this day.