Commitment to reconciliation
At Okanagan College, we recognize that we are part of the educational and social fabric of the region and that we have both the opportunity and responsibility to support and empower OC learners and employees to be positive agents of dialogue, knowledge sharing and change.
Our mission is to transform lives and communities, and it is the people of Okanagan College who bring this mission to life. We recognize that this mission cannot be fully achieved without strong commitment to – and action toward – reconciliation.
Okanagan College is committed to full engagement in the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. OC strives to be a place where all students, staff, faculty and visitors can learn from the deep knowledge and traditions of Indigenous communities and from the effects of colonialism.
We recognize that communication, knowledge, understanding, awareness and action all play a role in reconciliation and lead us to a more inclusive, equitable and just society. We also recognize that the ongoing systemic racism experienced by Indigenous people of Canada continues in innumerable ways.
The Residential School System in Canada is not history. It is not a relic of the past. The legacy of the system continues in the lived experience of pain and suffering still felt, and that will be felt, by the survivors, their families and all those impacted by it, for generations into the future. We commit to listening, learning and acting in ways that support Indigenous members of our community in the process of healing.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year, Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as 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.
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we invite you to take time to reflect and learn, participate in events and activities in your community, and wear an orange shirt.
Events
News and notices
On Friday, Sept. 26, ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Okanagan College honoured the Indigenous communities on whose…
Members of Westbank First Nation along with Okanagan College students, employees and local community members came together at Okanagan College’s…
Visitors to Okanagan College’s Vernon campus will notice the OKIB flag flying proudly in the sky.
In a historic and meaningful ceremony at…
Resources and information
We recognize that Okanagan College students and employees will be at different points in their journey toward awareness, engagement and action on the path toward reconciliation.
- Indigenization at Okanagan College
- National Truth and Reconciliation Centre
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- National Family and Survivors Circle
- United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Orange Shirt Day
- Canadian Network Spotlights - How Does Reconciliation With Indigenous People Work in the Face of Canadian Nationalism?
Podcasts
- All My Relations
- APTN In Focus
- 2 Crees in a Pod
- This Place
- Telling Our Twisted Histories
- The Secret life of Canada
- Muddied Water: 1870 Homeland of the Metis
- Kiwew
- Pieces
- Warrior Life
- Inuit Unikkaamgit
- Coffee and Quaq
- Spirit to Soar: Where We Come From
*Podcasts are available with a variety of providers (Spotify, Apple, YouTube, etc.)
Music
- The Halluci Nation (FKA A Tribe Called Red)
- DJ Kookum
- Snotty Nose Rez kids
- Prolific the Rapper
- Supaman
- Neon Nativez
- Northern Cree
- Inez
- George Leach, Sta'atl'imx Nation Blues musician
- Grizzlypaws, Sta'atl'imx Nation Traditional Singer
- Okanagan College Library - Indigenous Music
Theatre
Laura Michel, Secwepemc playwright
OC Library Indigenous reading list
* indicates book is available through OC Library
- Seven Fallen Feathers – Tanya Talaga*
- Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer*
- The Reason You Walk – Wab Kinew*
- The Inconvenient Indian – Thomas King *
- Medicine Walk – Richard Wagamese*
- Indian Horse – Richard Wagamese*
- The Politics of The Canoe - Bruce Erickson and Sara Wylie Krotz
- Writing of the Hamat'sa – Aaron Glass
- A Mind Spread Out on the Ground – Alicia Elliott*
- Five Little Indians – Michelle Good*
- The Truth About Stories – Thomas King*
- We All Go Back to the Land: The Who, Why and How of Land Acknowledgements – Suzanne Keeptwo *
- Storying Violence: Unravelling Colonial Narratives in the Stanley Trial – Dallas Hunt and Gina Starblanket *
- The Dispossessed: Life and death in native Canada – Geoffrey York*
- In this Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation – Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail*
- An Introductory Guide to Understanding Indigenous Rights – Tracy Campbell (Can purchase on MNP or Amazon)
- Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples*
- Resistance and Renewal: Surviving the Indian Residential School, Celia Haig-Brown
- Namwayut: A pathway to reconciliation, Chief Robert Joseph
- The Dispossessed: Life and Death in Native Canada, Geoffrey York
- True Reconciliation: How to be a force for change, Jody Wilson-Raybould
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, Bob Joseph
-
TSQELMUCWILC: The Kamloops Indian Residential School, Celia Haig-Brown
Looking for more books? Visit CBCs reading list or the Okanagan College Library Resources for Learning About Indigenous History and Residential Schools
Books for children
- Shi-shi-etko, Nicola I. Campbell
- Shin-chi's Canoe, Nicola I. Campbell
- When I Was Eight, Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
- Not My Girl, Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
- Finding the Language, Adelyn Newman-Ting
- OC LibGuide - resources for talking to children
Recommended reading
- Okanagan College Library - Resources for Learning About Indigenous History and Residential Schools
- Okanagan College Library - Land Acknowledgements
- Okanagan College Library - Indigenous Languages
- Pulling Together: Foundations Guide – a guide for Indigenization of post-secondary institutions. A professional learning series.
- Indigenous Foundations - The Residential School System (First Nations and Indigenous Studies, UBC)
- The Syilx Indian Residential School Experience
- Take the Indian out of the Child - available for purchase on the Okanagan Nation Alliance website.
- In their own words - Residential school survivors talk about their experiences and the lasting impact on their lives.
- IndigiNews
Documentaries, films and videos
- In Their Own Words – Residential school survivors talk about their experiences
- We Were Children – Documentary film
- Reconciliation with Indigenous People in the Face of Canadian Nationalism
- Indian Horse – Netflix or available to stream via OC Library
- Maker of Monsters: The extraordinary life of Master carver Beau Dick
- Trickster – TV Series on CBC Gem App
- The Secret Path – Film by Gord Downie
- Experimental Eskimos - Vimeo
- Returning Home - Phyllis Webstad story
Access supports
Our hearts are with all survivors, families and Indigenous communities across the country as more news is shared about residential schools. Supports are available for students and employees:
- OC students in need of support are encouraged to reach out to Counselling Services or Indigenous Services.
- Employee and Family Assistance program.
- A national crisis line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students and those affected. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
- Within B.C., the KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.
- Toll free: 1-800-588-8717
- Youth line: 250-723-2040
- Adult line: 250-723-4050
- First Nations Health Authority Mental Health Benefit
- Métis Nation BC Mental Health Services
Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that the Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the lands of the Syilx Okanagan People and the Salmon Arm campus is located on the lands of the Secwépemc People. We honour our relations and hold up their knowledge, welcoming all to our house of learning.