Here's where you can buy orange shirts in Regina ahead of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, some local businesses are making sure the public has every opportunity to support charities and organizations in the city.
Regina/Treaty Status Indian Services (RTSIS) sold orange shirts at the Gathering Place Wednesday. The money raised went towards funding its programs and services for the community.
(Donovan Maess/CTV News)
RTSIS believes wearing an orange shirt on Friday is not an insignificant act.
“It’s symbolic,” said Tanya Ritchotte. “It’s about all of our roles in reconciliation and acknowledging the truth and horrible legacy of residential school and the impacts we see even today.”
While shirts may be available at larger stores, Ritchotte said its best to directly support local indigenous organization.
“The money goes directly into our community,” she said. “A big box store won’t donate its profits back to the community in the same way a local organization would.”
At Victoria Park, over 200 ‘Every Child Matters’ signs and flags were placed to raise awareness for the day. The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Network (EDIN) said the signs and flags are free for anyone to take and put onto their own lawns.
Over 200 signs and flags have been placed in Victoria Park to raise awareness for the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation on Friday. (Donovan Maess/CTV News)
Reconciliation Regina executive director Kristin Francis believes the day is meant for education and reflection.
“It’s important on the day of for people to take the time and reflect on why we are commemorating that day and why it’s so important to us,” she said. “Whether that’s going on the internet and reading about residential schools or learning about indigenous history and what led to today’s situation.”
EDIN also painted a crosswalk at the corner of 5th Avenue and Retallick Street orange with the phrase ‘Every Child Matters’ on the street.
A crosswalk at the corner of 5th Ave. and Retallack Street is painted orange with the phrase "Every Child Matters." (Donovan Maess/CTV News)
Cowessess First Nation had orange shirts for sale at various locations around the city.
Other businesses around Regia have also started campaigns to raise awareness and funds for various Indigenous organizations.
Fresh and Sweet baked orange shirt cookies with proceeds raised going to the Orange Shirt Society.
The Mackenzie Art Gallery has special ‘Every Child Matters’ tee-shirts for sale. The proceeds will be donated to All Nations Hope and to the Trent University Aboriginal Cultural Science and Knowledge program.
Richotte added she has seen Orange Shirt Day explode on the national level.
“Before it was a handful of participants in Indigenous communities, now it’s all of Canada,” she said.
She said everyone should get involved in any way they can and to ask questions.
“Find an elder, find someone who will share knowledge with you. There are no dumb questions. Start where you are,” she said.
For a full list of events going on in and around Regina for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The world is too messy for bureaucratic hurdles': Canada still bars Afghanistan aid
Ottawa has plans to finally stop blocking Canadian development aid to Afghanistan this year.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Hamas is reviewing an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as possible Rafah offensive looms
Hamas said Saturday it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Egypt intensified efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and stave off a possible Israeli ground offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Russia renews attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector as Kyiv launches drones at southern Russia
Russia launched a barrage of missiles against Ukraine overnight, in attacks that appeared to target the country's energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia said its air defense systems had intercepted more than 60 Ukrainian drones over the southern Krasnodar region.