First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada

[Ghostdog]

September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, I encourage all my friends to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors and the ones who didn't make it home.

Growing up I saw first hand how the residential schools left their mark on my grandparents and my father. Even though my father didn't go to a residential school he still grew up with the effects of it which were then passed on to me. It's called multi generational trauma and most if not all Indigenous communities suffer from it. For a long time I didn't understand why dad acted the way that he did but a few years ago I was taught about the residential schools and now I understand a lot more.

[Ghostdog]

Drums - Johnny Cash

From the Indian reservation
To the governmental school
Well they're goin' to educate me
To the white men's Golden Rule
And I'm learning very quickly
For I've learned to be ashamed
And I come when they call Billy
Though I've got an Indian name

And there are drums beyond the mountain
Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain
And they're getting mighty near

And when they think that they'd changed me
Cut my hair to meet their needs
Will they think I'm white or Indian
Quarter blood or just half breed
Let me tell you Mr. teacher
When you say you'll make me right
In five hundred years of fighting
Not one Indian turned white

And there are drums beyond the mountain
Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain
And they're getting mighty near

Well you thought that I knew nothing
When you brought me here to school
Just another empty Indian just America's first fool
But now I can tell you stories
That are burnt and dried and old
But in the shadow of their telling
Walks the thunder proud and bold

And there are drums beyond the mountain
Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain
And they're getting mighty near

Long Pine and Sequoia
Handsome Lake and Sitting Bull
There's Magnus Colorado
With his sleeves so red and full
Crazy Horse the legend
Those who bit off Custer's soul
They are dead yet they are living
With the great Geronimo

And there are drums beyond the mountain
Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain
And they're getting mighty near

Well you may teach me this land's history
But we taught it to you first
We broke your hearts and bent your journeys
Broken treaties left us cursed
Even now you have to cheat us
Even though you this us tame
In our losing we found proudness
In your winning you found shame

And there are drums beyond the mountain
Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain
And they're getting mighty near

[BibleStudent100]

3 hours ago, Ghostdog said:

It's called multi generational trauma and most if not all Indigenous communities suffer from it

Good morning Ghostdog,

I am sorry for the trauma your family has endured.  This issue is just one more example of poor governance and it is tragic!  I am reminded of this verse:  “When anyone wicked bears rule, the people sigh.” —Proverbs 29:2.

History is filled with human rulers who govern with an iron fist, bringing untold suffering to their subjects. Of course, that is not true of all rulers. Some may have the best of intentions for their fellowmen. However, once they are in power, they often find that their efforts are frustrated by infighting and power struggles. Or they may abuse their power for personal gain, to the detriment of the people. 

The Bible also points out: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Imperfect humans lack the necessary wisdom and foresight to manage all their own affairs successfully. If people cannot direct their own steps, how can they direct the steps of a nation?  For this reason, Christians abandon the placement of their hope in earthly governments and focus their efforts exclusively on supporting God's kingdom.  Keep up your fine work!