September 2021 marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the children of residential schools, those who never returned home and the survivors, their families and communities.
In recognition of September 30, 2024 Manitoba’s three major operating mines presented events and resources to staff, as well as providing information on community events.
HudBay offered employees lunch and learn sessions leading up to the day, including a presentation by Gary Merasty, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation; an Orange t-shirt company photo; raising flags at a number of HudBay operations, encouraged employees to smudge, mediate, wear Orange, and visit an elder, plus teachings and resources, including:
- Teachings—The Ways of Our Grandparents / Great Grandparents – check website for additional info:
- Resources – read the 94 Truth & Reconciliation Calls for Action, Phyllis Webstad’s, book “The Orange Shirt Story”; videos: Nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, Indian Horse, We were Children.
In the community the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship centre hosted the 13th Annual Grandmothers Walk; an Indigenous Circle for Everyone (ICE) “Reconciliation in Industry” event; an awareness walk, followed by soup and Bannock
September 30 – Winnipeg Art Gallery Truth and Reconciliation event “Chāpān
Tanco is flying the Every Child Matters flag at its North American Business Division Headquarters and also at its Bernic Lake Mine and is encouraging everyone to wear Orange.
In addition, the mine is communicating to staff the importance of TRC, the need to continue to work towards reconciliation and that from a corporate perspective, Tanco is committed to Call to Action 92. Additional resources also being shared with staff, include links to educational websites, learning opportunities, movies that are relevant and lastly, a list local activity happening in the region to commemorate the day
Vale is providing a space to watch and participate in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation daily lunch and learn webinars; dinner and a movie – screening “Fancy Dance” starring Lily Gladstone (first Indigenous woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a motion picture); Aboriginal Affairs Superintendent from Newfoundland & Labrador shared her personal reflection on the Sixties Scoop in a webinar offered to all employees in Canada; taking down the teepee for the winter that has been up since National Indigenous People Day.
As well a bulletin from leadership about the day was sent to all employees that also included internal and external events, and noting the day is observed as a recognized holiday, TRC posters posted around plant sites and reminding employees Vale supports reconciliation year-round.