The Indian Residential School system operated in Canada from 1875-1996, taking children away from their families and communities. Many suffered significant abuse and many died. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission gathers and shares their stories at National Events. The TRC Reconciliation Week events will run from the 16th to the 22nd of September.
UBC has taken the extraordinary step of suspending classes on September 18th, the first day of the Vancouver Event, so that students, faculty, and members of the UBC community have the opportunity to participate.
There will be a TRC event at the PNE on September 18, and other related events happening on campus that day. Please visit the Our Truth website for full information on these events and regular updates. If you wish to attend the main event at the PNE, we advise that you arrive at there by 9:00 and be sure to attend the 11:00 “Be The Change” and the 1:00 “Commissioners Sharing Panel” session. UBC President Toope speaks at 3:00 in the “Expressions of Reconciliation” session. Academic panels will be held 9:00-11:00 on Friday and 9:00-10:30 on Saturday.
The full program is of events is now available on irsi.aboriginal.ubc.ca, at trc.ca and at myrobust.com/websites/vancouver/index.php?p=719. Please see the irsi.aboriginal.ubc.ca site for related events at UBC and throughout the city.
More info:
Letter From the Dean: UBC suspends classes Sept 18 to support reconciliation