This article deals with topics that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse. We recognize that some may not want to read on to minimize the risk associated with triggering.

At bases and Naval Reserve divisions across the country, military and civilian members of the Royal Canadian Navy team marked the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliationon September 30, 2021. Honouring Survivors of Indian residential schools, their families, and communities, the day establishes a formal public commemoration of the tragic, painful and ongoing history of Indian residential schools that will remain a vital component of the reconciliation process.

On the East Coast at Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT), the local military community attended a smudging ceremony at Stadacona on September 28, held by the MARLANT Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group (DAAG) and led by Honorary Captain (Navy) Debbie Eisan, retired Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class and an elder with the local Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre.

On September 29, members participated in the Formation-wide Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots Indigenous-led movement that began in 2013 to raise awareness among Canadians about the legacy and ongoing impacts of the Indian residential school system. Orange Shirt Day coincides with National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

MARLANT personnel assisted in setting up displays and equipment for the main municipal event at the Halifax waterfront, and a large contingent of members in uniform attended that community's event on the morning of September 30, during which Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander MARLANT, provided remarks during the opening ceremonies.

MARLANT also raised the orange Every Child Matters flag on September 30 across various Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax locations and on the ships of the Atlantic Fleet.

On the West Coast at CFB Esquimalt, members showed support for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing an orange shirt.

The MARPAC Health and Wellness Strategy created a Story Book Walk, featuring the children's book "The Orange Shirt Story" by Phyllis Webstad. Pages from this book were placed in a walking circle in both Belmont Park and in Esquimalt in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

CFB Esquimalt's DAAG held a Come Sing and Drum event at the Base Museum. The event provided information on the Indian residential schools, the Sixty's Scoop and the Indian Act. Attendees were guided by Petty Officer 1st Class Marielle Audet, Pacific Region Military DAAG Co-Chair, while the DAAG Drum Group played.

Back on the East Coast, the Keptin of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council John Joe Sark invited Naval Reservists from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Queen Charlotte and sailors from HMCS Charlottetown to attend a memorial service held on October 1, 2021 at St. Dunstan's Basilica in Charlottetown, dedicated to community members who served in past wars.

Naval Reservists across the country participated in Orange Shirt Day and attended Indigenous ceremonies. HMCS Cabot joined other local military units in St. John's, NL, for a special presentation by Inuit Elder Emma Reelis at 5 Canadian Division Support Group Garrison. Elder Reelis shared her experiences as a residential school Survivor and spoke about the importance of reflecting on the wrongs endured by so many Indigenous Peoples.

The National Band of the Naval Reserve had created and posted a video of their members, led by Sailor 1st Class Morgan Mutter, in a rendition of traditional Prairies Indigenous chant "Wild Flower", for calling the children back to the safety of home in time of perceived danger.

The RCN shares the same duty all Canadians have to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, their families and their communities, and to ensure that commemoration of our shared history and the legacy of Indian residential schools remain an essential part of reconciliation.

In light of the recent identification of unmarked graves at former Indian residential schools sites across Canada, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was an opportunity for us all to stand with Indigenous Peoples, reaffirm our support of those who were affected, and recognize our shared responsibility for healing and the intergenerational trauma caused by Indian residential schools that continues to have a profound effect on Survivors, their families and their communities. Every child matters-including those who are now adults.

Healing is a long process, which must pass through the education of each and every one of us.

If you need support

Resources are available to you through the Member Assistance Program for Canadian Armed Forces personnel or the Employee Assistance Program for civilian Defence Team members. You can reach both programs by calling 1-800-268-7708 (or TTY for people with hearing impairments at 1-800-567-5803).

A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support to former Indian residential school students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

Indigenous personnel can access the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat through their website: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.