National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – also known as Orange Shirt Day – is a day for remembrance, mourning, learning and growth. It is an opportunity to honour the survivors, families and communities impacted by residential schools and the continued trauma faced by Indigenous communities throughout the country and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. September 30 is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion and reflection to reaffirm that survivors, and all those that have been affected, matter. Every Child Matters.
“First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.
Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.
Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.”
National Day of Truth & Reconcilation: Trip to Woodland Cultural Centre : September 30th, 2025
As part of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, join the Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support (CILS) and the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement for a trip to the Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC). The WCC, formerly Mohawk Institute Residential School, now serves as a space to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art and history. September 30th, 2025 marks it’s official reopening as an Interpretive Historic Site and Educational Resource.
This trip offers an opportunity to honour Survivors, learn about the truths of the residential school system, and reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonialism. Through exhibits and storytelling, we will engage with difficult but necessary truths that are central to reconciliation.
Free Event: | Open to Sheridan Students, Faculty and Staff |
Location: (Off-Campus)
Bus Departure: 9:15 AM Litchfield Park 1435 White Oaks Blvd, Oakville Ontario L6H 4R9. All attendees will receive a FREE Orange T-shirt that will be handed on the bus and Lunch, courtesy of the SSU.
Please arrive for bus pick up early - 9:00 am.
To continue to honour this space and maintain our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for all students and the Sheridan community, we put together resources, supports, and continued learning.
Library and Learning Services : Maamwi Hub
The Maamwi Hub is inspired by the TRC 94 Calls to Action to ensure that the 24 Colleges of Ontario lead in the education of staff and students on the diverse Indigenous histories, cultures, and current Indigenous worldviews. The word "Maamwi" means "together" in Anishinaabemowin, one of the many spoken Indigenous languages in the territory currently referred to as Ontario. We hope that the Maamwi Hub will be a part of your ongoing reconciliation journey. We hope that it serves as a pathway to an authentic commitment to learn and reflect on the past and present impacts of colonial history on Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures, knowledges, and worldviews.
The Maamwi Hub was developed in partnership with the Indigenous Peoples Education Circle (IPEC) and College Libraries Ontario in an effort to provide an expansive collection of credible and relevant educational materials including resources to support curriculum development.
Further Readings
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act has shaped, controlled, and constrained the lives and opportunities of First Nations, and is at the root of many enduring stereotypes. This book breaks down a piece of legislation not many Canadians understand.
Clearing The Plains
This book explores how Canada's first Prime Minister used a policy of starvation against Indigenous people to clear the way for settlement. It takes a look at how the environmental, economic and political forces had an impact in the current health crisis for Indigenous peoples.
Call Me Indian - First Nation Hockey Player
Trailblazer. Residential school Survivor. First Treaty Indigenous player in the NHL. All of these descriptions are true--but none of them tell the whole story. Fred Sasakamoose's memoir sheds a piercing light on Canadian history and Indigenous politics, and follows this extraordinary man's journey to reclaim pride in an identity and a heritage that had previously been used against him.
Available at select bookstores
Sheridan Resources
The Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support
Supports the academic and personal success of all Indigenous students: Status, Non-Status, Metis and Inuit.
Located at the Trafalgar Campus in Room B127. Email: cils@sheridancollege.ca. Phone number: 905-845-9430 x5553
The Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement
The Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement (OIEE) is Sheridan’s hub of Indigenous engagements. Here to support the journey of Truth and Reconciliation at Sheridan College, OIEE implements the Indigenous Education workplan and the strategic goals of the college.
Sheridan Library Research Guide
This guide provides help for Sheridan students studying topics related to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.
Sheridan Supports
Sheridan Counselling Services
Support for Sheridan students when you are feeling overwhelmed, financially stressed, hungry, or you just want someone to talk to. Email: askanadvisor@sheridancollege.ca.
Empower Me
A mental health and wellness service for Sheridan students, that connects you with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches for a variety of issues. https://www.thessu.ca/empower-me
Community Services
Hope for Wellness
Mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across Canada. Toll-free help line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French, and on request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Call: 1-855-242-3310
Talk 4 Healing
A fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
Call: 1-855-554-HEAL
Further Learning
Indigenous Canada
A 12-lesson online course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada by the University of Alberta.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Highlighted Reports and research and reference materials.
Aboriginal Postsecondary
Education and Training Policy and Framework.
Indigenous Organizations You Can Support or Connect With
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation fosters a strong, caring, and connected community that respects the earth and integrates Anishinaabe rooted history, language, culture, and traditions into its programs and services.
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres are places for community members and Indigenous people living in urban spaces to gather, connect with one another and receive culturally based services.
An organization whose mission is to build healthy and vibrant Aboriginal communities by developing youth as future community leaders.
National Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
Community Stories To Read
Accounts to Follow
@notoriouscree
A traditional hoop dance artist from the Tallcree Nation, who elevates Indigenous voices, and also blends hip-hop and traditional Cree culture.
@LESLEY_HAMPTON
Lesley is an Anishinaabe artist, model, and designer, advocating for body positivity and authentic representation in the creative industry. Her self-named, Indigenous-owned, and size-inclusive clothing brand is based in Toronto, LESLEY HAMPTON.
@shinanova
An Inuk throat singer, who’s a Montreal-based student. She shares original work and collaborates with other Indigenous creators
@shayla0h
A Plains Cree wellness and yoga instructor, now based in Vancouver. Shayla Stonechild is also the founder of Matriarch Movement, a non-profit organization that empowers women of colour through workshops. She also hosts a podcast of the same name, that explores medicine, spirituality and trauma-informed healing.
@nanookfareal
Nanook Gordon is the founder of Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction (TIHR), a queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous grassroots collective that aims to reduce the negative impacts of substance abuse and other stigmatized behaviours and experiences through culture and unconditional support.
@larissa_speaks
Larissa Crawford is a researcher, artist, and climate change activist of Métis and Jamaican ancestry. Crawford is also the founder of Future Ancestors Services, an “Indigenous and Black-owned, youth-led professional services social enterprise that advances climate justice and equity with lenses of anti-racism and ancestral accountability.”
Explore this curated list of thought-provoking fiction, and non-fiction books found at the Sheridan Library in honour of Truth and Reconciliation.