Fleming College

Peterborough, ON (September 25, 2024) – Fleming College is honoring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a series of events focused on listening, learning, and raising awareness.

Through these events, the college aims to foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous histories and cultures, while promoting healing and unity between all communities.

A schedule of events is as follows:

Interactive Learning Exhibit: Monday, Sept 23 – Monday, Sept 30 Sutherland Campus Main Foyer, Frost Campus Discovery Trail and in the Great Hall at the Haliburton School of Art + Design.

Throughout the week there will be a children’s shoe display in the Main Foyer, alongside information posters and interactive digital displays.

Posters will include information on residential schools and calls to action. Digital displays feature stories from Residential School Survivors and an interactive Residential School map.

Sutherland Campus Events

Orange Shirt Activity: Thursday, Sept. 26, Main Foyer, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Staff and students are encouraged to write words that reflect the theme of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on an orange shirt cutout that will be added to a banner that will be displayed on campus.

Each person who adds a message will receive orange pony beads to wear in support of NDTR.

Orange Shirt Sales, Steele Centre: Friday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Shirts are $20 for students, $25 for staff and faculty.

Orange shirts were purchased from Nish Tees, a local, Indigenous-owned business. Net proceeds will be donated to an Indigenous initiative, or organization identified by Fleming Indigenous Student Services.

Fleming Men’s and Women’s Soccer Games: Sunday, Sept. 29, 12:30 – 5:30 p.m., Fleming Sports Fields

Opening ceremonies for the games begins at 12:30 pm and will include an Indigenous drummer and information about National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Players and game day staff will be wearing orange bands and spectators are asked to wear orange shirts in support of the day. All spectators wearing orange can fill out a ballot for a draw to win Phoenix swag. One draw will take place at the end of the women’s game and one draw at the end of the men’s game. The winners must be present when their name is announced to be eligible for the prize.

The Sutherland Campus Student Administration Council (SAC) will also be selling orange shirts while supplies last. The cost is $20 for students and $25 for all other spectators. Cash sales only and students must show proof of enrolment for the student price.

The Phoenix women’s soccer game against George Brown begins at 1 p.m., with the men’s game starting at 3:15 p.m.

Residential School Memorial: Monday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Main Foyer

Hosted by Liz Stone, Vice President Indigenous Knowledge and Relations, this event is a memorial service to the children and generations of Indigenous peoples who residential schools have impacted. There will be a special unveiling of a permanent installation.

Blanket Exercise: Monday, Sept. 30, 1:15– 3:30 p.m., Phoenix Field (Rain location: Gym A at the Sport and Wellness Centre)

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, learn from Indigenous leaders about the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada during pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, and resistance.

The goal of the Blanket Exercise is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance.

Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy.
The blanket exercise was developed collaboratively by Indigenous elders for settlers on Turtle Island.

Frost Campus Events:

Poetry Reading: Sept. 30, 12:15 – 1 p.m., Aux Lodge

Poet Robyn Pierson will perform a reading for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honouring reconciliation through the magic of art.

Movie Screening: The Secret Path: Sept. 30, 1 – 2 p.m., Aux Lodge

On October 22, 1966 near Kenora, Ontario, Chanie Wenjack died when he walking home to the family he was taken from over 400 miles away. The film follows his escape from a residential school, as he tried to return home.

Haliburton Campus Events:

Guest Speaker Larry O’Connor: Sept. 30, 12 p.m., The Great Hall

The Haliburton School of Art + Design is welcoming Haliburton community member Larry O’Connor to its campus at 12 p.m. on September 30. Larry will share his personal journey as an Indigenous person and speak about the legacy of colonialism and the Residential School system.

Everyone is welcome to attend all events at any of our campuses.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161

About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

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