September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
From Canada.ca:

“The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

Orange Shirt Day also takes place on this day.

“Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not.”

Canadians are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on this day. If you are purchasing an orange shirt, please try to buy from Indigenous designers and sellers. VanMag compiled a short list of such designers, here.

Visit Canada.ca for more information and links to important resources.

If you would like to support and spread the word about Indigenous-led organizations that are doing great work to support Indigenous communities dealing with intergenerational trauma, these are a few:

• Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society: https://wahrs.ca/ (donations can be made through: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/47375/donation — just indicate that your donation is for WAHRS in the notes).
• Indian Residential Schools Survivors’ Society: https://www.irsss.ca/
• Urban Native Youth Association: https://unya.bc.ca/

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has also collaborated with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to produce a new broadcast special, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, Insight Productions and Canadian Heritage. For more information, please click here.

DABC will be closed on September 30th in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We encourage our staff, volunteers and readers to check out the links above and use this day to learn and reflect.

The Ministry of Health has stated the following in response to DABC’s question on how individuals who cannot get the COVID-19 vaccine due to certain medical conditions can then apply for a medical exemption to the BC Vaccine Card:

“We recognize that some individuals may not be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to a serious allergic reaction, and will not be able to provide a proof of COVID-19 immunization. Regarding your question, a request for reconsideration of this Order on the basis of a medical contraindication made by a person to whom the Order applies must include a signed and dated statement from a medical practitioner, based upon a current assessment, that the health of the person would be seriously jeopardized if the person were to receive a first or second dose of vaccine, and a signed and dated copy of each portion of the person’s health record relevant to this statement. A request under section 43 may be submitted to the Provincial Health Officer at ProvHlthOffice@gov.bc.ca with the subject line “Request for Reconsideration about Proof of Vaccination.””

OCASI (ONTARIO COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING IMMIGRANTS) invites you to apply to be an Advisory Committee Member for the Accessibility Initiative 2021-2023!

The Accessibility Initiative, a national and bilingual OCASI project, aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of settlement sector professionals across Canada so that they are better equipped to serve immigrants and refugees with in/visible disabilities.

An Advisory Committee member is someone who is located in Canada who works as part of a team to support the Accessibility Initiative activities.

To view more information, in English and French, please click HERE.