The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as a day of remembrance, reflection, action, and learning.

Let’s make sure reconciliation continues beyond this one day, take this opportunity to begin a journey by exploring the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. 

Danby would like to take a moment to educate individuals about the survivor’s flag and the meaning.

The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, which is meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each component represented on the flags was carefully chosen by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted during the creation of the survivors’ flag.

The Survivors’ flag was designed in a six-week period which included the consultation, discussion, and collaboration with Survivors from across Canada. These survivors included Inuit, Mikmaq, Atikamekw, Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Mohawk, Dene, Nuuchahnulth, Secwepemc, Métis.

These Survivors brought the flag to life by sharing their opinions, suggestions and the experiences they had to endure. It was only when it was brought together, that it helped to identify the importance of the symbolism you see before you. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation ensured the Survivors’ wishes and opinions were communicated to Vincent Design Inc. in order to complete the flag.

The flags focus on: The Family, The Children, The Seeds Below Ground, Tree of Peace, Cedar Branch, Cosmic Symbolism, The Métis Sash, The Eagle Feather and The Inuksuit. Each of which have many important factors and reasoning behind the selection.

Want to learn more about the survivors flag? Visit: www.nctr.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag/ 

Image can be found on the The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website and Vincent Design In was the company behind the design at the direction of residential school survivors.