Each year in Canada, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
For the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball team, Truth & Reconciliation goes beyond a designated day but rather a continuous effort of learning and reflection. The team expresses this by wearing an orange handprint on their helmets throughout the season.
The orange handprint symbolises the indigenous children who were lost to Canada’s residential school system. The handprints are placed in visible public spaces to honour these children, acknowledge the discovery of unmarked graves and are a show of solidarity with Indigenous communities who are grieving.
Here are a few remarks from the team about their decision to wear the orange handprint as part of their uniform;
“For our team, Truth and Reconciliation goes beyond one day and should be something we actively work and strive towards during our season, but also outside of it year-round.
For Truth and Reconciliation to happen authentically and effectively, it must be acknowledged, reflected on and worked towards every day. It’s not just a one day/weekend level of importance for us which is why we wear it on our helmets all season.
We are privileged to play the game, but we also expect our athletes to be meaningful and contributing members of society.”
University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball
More information
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is a commemorative day led by Indigenous communities to raise awareness about the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on children, families, and communities. It honours Indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system.
source: canada.ca