National Truth & Reconciliation Day

Trigger warning: child abuse, genocide, death.

On this day, two years ago, the discovery of mass graves of the child victims of residential schools across this country prompted a federal statutory holiday. Although Orange Shirt Day started about ten years ago, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was formed in an effort to hold this country and its government accountable for past atrocities. It is a day to recognize this country's dark past and continued efforts towards decolonization and Indigenous sovereignty and solidarity. For EMMEDIA, we recognize the immense privilege it is to be taking space in Mohkinstis, the Blackfoot word meaning 'Elbow', a reference to the meeting of two rivers in this now city. Mohkinstis rests on Treaty 7 land, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot confederacy, which includes the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani First Nations. Treaty 7 also includes the Tsuu T'ina nation and the Stoney Nakoda Nations (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations) as well as Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. EMMEDIA strives to grow continuously in our efforts of genuine support. A short list of resources for Indigenous support are linked below and we hope to roll out some accessible programming for Indigenous folks in the near future. If you have any ideas, questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to us, as we cannot be truly effective in our support of Indigenous people without Indigenous people being centered in conversations and action regarding support for them. We welcome open dialogue and criticism as we work towards living up to our mandate more and more as time progresses.