September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history of residential schools and their intergenerational and ongoing impacts is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Engineers Canada, under the guidance of our Indigenous Advisory Committee, has made truth and reconciliation a priority for our organization, and we have committed ourselves to providing national support and leadership to advance truth and reconciliation in the engineering profession.
There is a significant amount of work to be done to understand the “truth” before we can do the work of reconciliation. To this end, over the past year, we have undertaken historical and present-day research to reflect on how the systemic and structural dimensions of engineering have contributed to enduring inequalities. This work will inform our journey towards reconciliation as we seek more equitable engineering practices that acknowledge and respect the nuances of our shared history with Indigenous Peoples, and fosters mutual understanding and collaboration toward systemic change.
On September 30, Engineers Canada staff will gather for an education session about our work on truth and reconciliation, before attending the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s “Remember the Children” event on Parliament Hill that memorializes the children lost to the residential school system and honours survivors and their families.
For engineers, engineering students, engineering companies, and others across Canada, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers an opportunity to reflect on their own personal journeys towards truth and reconciliation, that of their organizations, and that of their profession. In addition to events that may be hosted in your local communities to mark the day, we also encourage you to consider these resources:
- Between September 23-27, participate in the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation's Lunch and Learns. Learn more and register here.
- On September 18, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) apologized for its role and the role of the medical profession in the harms caused to Indigenous Peoples in the health system, both through action and inaction. The CMA has documented the process they took to fully understand their role and the impact it has had on Indigenous Peoples. Read the full apology and learn more about the steps the medical profession has taken for Truth and Reconciliation here.
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, specifically call 92.
- Read about Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s work to advance five recommendations arising from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, specifically calls 7, 13, 57, 75 and 92.
- Read the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, specifically call 13.
- Watch Peace River Rising, a documentary on "man camps" and resource development.
- Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Review and use the Land Acknowledgement Guide.
- Review and use the Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board Guideline for Engineers and Engineering Firms on Indigenous Consultation and Engagement.
- Review and use Engineers Canada’s research and reports on Truth and Reconciliation.
