Alberta marks first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with stories, ceremonies
CBC
WARNING: This article is about residential schools, a topic which may be triggering and distressing to those with dealing with past trauma. A national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419.
An outpouring of stories from survivors of Alberta's residential schools came Thursday, as the country marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day is meant to honour the children who died while forced to attend residential schools and those still affected by the schools today.
The day has been commemorated in past years as Orange Shirt Day, which started in 2013 in honour of residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken away from her on the first day of school.
That's story hits home for Stoney Nakoda First Nation Elder Valentina Fox, who survived 11 years at a residential school in Morley, located about 60 kilometres west of Calgary.
Fox remembers being excited to wear her new outfit on her first day of school, only to have it taken away and doused with kerosene.
"I wore my brand new moccasins, my brand new little dress, new jacket, and I was really excited to be going to residential school, and not realizing I wouldn't go home after that," she said.
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