Monday marked the 12th annual Orange Shirt Day Walk hosted by the U of M college of nursing and the Nursing Students’ Association (NSA).
Orange Shirt Day originated from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who in the early 1970s had her orange shirt taken from her by staff at a residential school in British Columbia. Orange Shirt Day coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in an effort to further connect ideas of reconciliation with the impacts the residential school system continues to have on Indigenous peoples.
Due to weather, the majority of the event was hosted in the Helen Glass building on the U of M’s Fort Garry campus. However, the drizzling rain did not put the walk itself on hold, with participants walking from the Helen Glass building around campus and to the front of the administrative building, then to Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge, after returning to Helen Glass.
Ahead of the walk, remarks were shared by U of M administration and community leaders, including Indigenous Student Centre grandmother-in-residence Karen Courchene and college of nursing elder-in-residence Fjola Hart-Wasekeesikaw, with Courchene addressing the belief of residential school denialism — “I have been invalidated in sharing my story, and every time I see an act of denialism, it does hurt my heart.”
Courchene added, “your support as allies, as family, as friends, your support in sharing the truth, it helps us […] I know I’m not alone in the truth telling.”
Representing the office of the vice-president (Indigenous) at the U of M, Todd Duhamel spoke about the office’s recently gifted name, L’offis Wiichihihwahk, which means “the office that helps” in Michif. Michif is one of the major languages spoken by Métis people, and the name was gifted by U of M elder Charlotte Nolin earlier this year. As a citizen of the Red River Métis nation, Duhamel shared that the name has personal significance beyond a public display of solidarity. “It’s a signal that real change can happen and I hope that it’s not just a name, but an actual philosophy behind what we’re doing.”
The keynote address was given by U of M alumna Michelle Monkman, CEO of Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. (KIM). KIM is an Indigenous self-governed organization based in Thompson and Winnipeg that aims to reflect the needs of Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba through the expansion and improvement of health services. Monkman, in her address, noted that while systemic racism is entrenched in many colonial institutions, nursing as a practice has a particular responsibility.
“We are a profession built around care, advocacy and safety, yet nurses participated in residential schools, Indian hospitals and systems that segregated Indigenous people”.
Monkman shared with the Manitoban that during her undergrad at the U of M in 2004, she “didn’t see events like this happening, so to be a part of it today and to see the growth and momentum happening and reconciliation is very exciting.”
“I do think that we have more work to do,” continued Monkman. “I’m always reminding systems that there’s still lots to do.”
For Kayleigh Pagee, Orange Shirt Day is a way to ensure Indigenous voices get heard at the U of M. A first-generation student, Pagee ran for NSA Indigenous representative to continue events like Orange Shirt Day. “I can sit back and watch everything happen, or I can [take] the initiative to make something happen and make change happen for our people as well,” shared Pagee.
With Pagee entering her third year as NSA Indigenous representative, she hopes sharing her experiences will encourage more Indigenous leaders. “We have so many types of leadership on this campus and I feel like anyone Indigenous should just keep running, keep putting your voice out there, just keep going.”
This sentiment of ongoing efforts for truth and reconciliation was reflected by NSA senior stick Hamidat Ahmed-Ishimel, who shared and reaffirmed the pledge toward truth and reconciliation originally signed in 2015 by the Canadian Nursing Students Association. The pledge outlines the unique duty of nursing in efforts for reconciliation.
“As future nurses, we choose to align ourselves with Indigenous children, youth and their families to create an environment that supports, affirms and celebrates all people.”
