Recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30th, FocalPoint Financial Group Inc. will be closed in recognition of the tragic legacy of Canada’s residential school system.  In remembrance, we honour the lost children and survivors and their families.

On Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we encourage everyone to deepen their understanding of reconciliation by reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report Call to Action, listen to a podcast about the experiences of residential schools, and reflect on this aspect of our country’s history. 

We fully support equity and justice for Indigenous people.  The simple act of donning an orange shirt in memory of Phyllis Webstad, who had her favourite orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school in 1973, can acknowledge the loss, all the while we continue to uncover the atrocities of residential schools by generations past.  Please consider purchasing your orange shirt from these Indigenous creators who also give back to the community.

Morgan Asoyuf, a Tsimshian (Tsim-she-yan, meaning “Inside the Skeena River”) artist, has committed that “partial proceeds from orange shirt sales will be directed to the Orange Shirt Society and the BC Aboriginal Child Care Association.”  Find Morgan’s t-shirts here.

Shoshannah Greene, SGidGang.xaal (Wild Rose), was born and raised on Haida Gwaii. She explains her orange shirt design in this way: “Our children are so vital. They’re included and celebrated in so many different parts of our cultures.”  Find Shoshannah’s t-shirts here.

Local to us, the Okanagan Nation Alliance says əts ha' stim iʔ scəcmalaʔ - Every Child Matters.  Please consider joining them in support of our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. They have orange shirts available for pick-up in West Kelowna. Click here to access their order form.