Author: Tamara Prince

In the spirit of our commitment to Reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous Peoples, the AWL wishes to acknowledge and commemorate The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honours the First Nations, Inuit and Metis children lost in residential schools, as well as Survivors of residential schools and their families and communities. The AWL also wishes to acknowledge and support Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day signifies the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to Residential Schools, and symbolizes the stripping away of culture and language experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and foster meaningful discussion about the tragic effects of Residential Schools and to honour Survivors.

For more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, please see National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Canada.ca

The AWL celebrates and supports Black History Month, and notes the 2022 Black History Month theme of “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day”. We encourage our members to take the time to learn more about Black History and the contributions of Black Canadians, not only to Canada’s history but also to its future.

We recommend the following resources to learn more about Black History Month and celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians:

• February 2022 (Various Dates): Calgary Black History Month Events
• February 17, 2022: Government of Canada Black History Month Celebration
• February 16-22, 2022: Toronto Black Film Festival

In the spirit of our commitment to Reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous Peoples, the AWL wishes to acknowledge and commemorate The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honours the First Nations, Inuit and Metis children lost in residential schools, as well as Survivors of residential schools and their families and communities. The AWL also wishes to acknowledge and support Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day signifies the time of year when Indigenous children were historically taken from their homes to Residential Schools, and is inspired by Phyllis Jack Webstad, who, at six years old, was stripped of her favorite orange shirt on her first day of residential schooling. Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and foster meaningful discussion about the tragic effects of Residential Schools and to honour Survivors.

For more about Orange Shirt Day, please see: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/

The AWL celebrates Pride Month in Canada! Join us in supporting the LGBTQ2S+ communities as an integral part of our own.

The AWL honours the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples through its support of National Indigenous History Month in Canada. We encourage our members and beyond to join in positive acts of Reconciliation, including listening to Indigenous people and studying both the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, and the Findings from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.