Honouring and Understanding Gathering Monday 26 September

Join us for the first in a series of evening to acknowledge the history of residential schools, where we learn about the past, honour the present, and bring hope for the future as we gather together.  

The evening will begin with a warm welcome and the official opening of Honouring and Understanding, həuistəŋ iɁ talɁnəxʷ, an exhibition in Carl Clifford Hall that features orange shirts from Indigenous artists across the province.

It will be followed by a keynote address from Victoria Orange Shirt Day organizer, Eddy Charlie, a performance from the Songhees dance group, and will finish with a special screening of series of short documentaries at IMAX. 

Due to the sensitive topic, Wawadiťła (Mungo Martin House) will be open with a ceremonial fire for prayer and reflection throughout the evening. Cultural support workers will be available onsite as needed.

Program

Doors open from 4PM

4:30 PM  Clifford Carl Hall on the ground floor of the Museum

  • Welcome 
  • Official opening of the Orange Shirt Display
  • Keynote Speaker – Eddy Charlie
  • Dance performance by the Songhees dance group

6 PM Light refreshments served

7:15 PM IMAX Victoria

Short Documentaries (119 mins)  Please be advised that these documentaries could be triggering.

  • Mary Two-Axe Earley: I am Indian Again (34 mins)
  • Yuxwelupton: Man of Masks (21 mins)
  • Holy Angels (13 mins)
  • Second Stories – It had to be done (22 mins)
  • Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair (29 mins)

Register to reserve your seat here.

About Eddy Charlie

Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray are the organizers of Xe Xe Smun' Eem - Victoria Orange Shirt Day. For eight years they have worked year round to create awareness of residential schools and how the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma still harm Indigenous communities across Canada today. The work they do is often referred to as ‘reconciliation in action’.

Eddy Charlie is a member of Quw' utsun (Cowichan Nation), a former student at Kuper Island Residential School and a graduate of Indigenous Studies at Camosun College. Eddy and Kristin first met while both enrolled in the Indigenous Studies program, where they formed a strong bond during their learning. Working together they brought the concept of an Orange Shirt Day event to Camosun - the original event held in Williams Lake, BC.

In 2013, Kristin attended the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings in Vancouver. It was at the TRC hearings where Kristin first learned about Phyliss Webstad and her Orange Shirt experience. Kristin was so deeply affected by what she heard and witnessed that she enrolled in the Indigenous Studies program to understand more.

Kristin and Eddy are extremely proud of their work to bring an Orange Shirt Day event to Camosun College and then later with the help of Mayor Lisa Helps, to the City of Victoria. Orange Shirt Day has now become a nationally recognized annual event.

Together they have met and spoken with children and adults, schools and universities, healthcare teams and organizations, local businesses, government, and many more. Kristin is committed to walking beside Eddy with respect and support as he shares his story and the importance of truth telling. She raises her hands to Eddy for the courage, dedication and healing words he brings to the city of Victoria and all of Canada.

Eddy enjoys taking photographs of nature, people and events. His photography helps him feel valued on his path and allows him to release some stress from the triggers of speaking and sharing about his experience at residential school.

https://victoriaorangeshirtday.com/