orange shirt day//

Community gathers for fourth Intergenerational March on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This article contains mention of violence against Indigenous communities, residential schools and sexual abuse.

On September 30, UBC held its fourth annual Intergenerational March to honour survivors of Canada's residential school system and their families.

The event, hosted by the Faculties of Applied Science, Land and Food Systems and Forestry, was held on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and began at UBC's Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre.

The gathering opened with a welcome by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Elder Larry Grant. He shared personal reflections on Indigenous peoples' enduring connection to the land UBC is situated on and the lasting effects of colonization.

“We are all human,” said Grant. “No matter the colour of our skin, our thoughts on our spirituality, our languages or the way we carry ourselves in the world, we are all fellow human beings.”

Elder Larry Grant giving a speech in front of a microphone.
The gathering opened with a welcome by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Elder Larry Grant. Natalie Choo / The Ubyssey

Willie Lewis, a cultural performer from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation, shared the song "t’émt’em slúlum," also known as the Snowbird Song, along with a series of other traditional songs. Each song carried its own story, honouring residential school survivors and elders who safeguarded cultural knowledge.

Elder Sam George, a member of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, shared his story of surviving nine years at St. Paul’s Indian Residential School in North Vancouver. He talked about the suppression of Indigenous languages and the physical, emotional and sexual abuse children endured within these schools. George also spoke about his path to sobriety and healing, and how, now serving as an elder, he helps others in their journeys toward recovery​.

“These are not just stories. This is history. This is real, and this is happening intergenerationally, and these harms are not historical,” said Dana-Lyn Mackenzie, member of the Hwlitsum First Nation and UBC senior manager, EDI and Indigeneity.

Mackenzie introduced Mitchell Tourangeau and Aileen Michel (Lil’Bear), who shared songs around reconnecting with traditional ceremonies.

“This is proof that cycles can be broken,” said Tourangeau.

The crowd then marched along Main Mall toward the Reconciliation Pole, with participants encouraged to reflect on what it means to practice reconciliation. Along the route, informational signs provided historical context to remind attendees of the ongoing impacts of colonization.

As the crowd gathered at Thunderbird Commons Field, the amphitheatre-style field near the Forest Sciences Centre, traditional Coast Salish group Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers) performed, honouring the spirit of reconciliation with song and dance.

Following the performance, Jeremy Jones from the Indian Residential School Survivors Society addressed the audience and emphasized the need for unity and ongoing collective action to drive meaningful progress toward reconciliation.

“We're one. And when we look at this history, we need each and every one of you to be a part of turning this page,” said Jones.

As the ceremony came to an end, Forestry Dean Robert Kozak gave closing remarks.

"We commit to creating spaces that embrace decolonization and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and learning into our classrooms and into our practices, and we commit to always doing this good work," said Kozak.

Paper orange shirts with writing on them being placed into the ground.
Attendees were also invited to write down their pledges on orange cards. Saumya Kamra / The Ubyssey

Attendees were also invited to write down their pledges on orange cards, which were later displayed to show accountability and collective responsibility for change.

“I really am thankful that you're here, and it really gives me hope for our next generations … our purpose is our next generations, and that was taken away from us for a while," said Jones.

"[Now] we get to continue to claim our children again. We get to continue to claim our young people. Our purpose is back."

People painting the Engineering Carn orange with the phrase "ever child matters" on it.
Participants were encouraged to reflect on what reconciliation means in practice. Saumya Kamra / The Ubyssey

Saumya Kamra photographer