Dear CMHA Families,

Today September 30th commemorates National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day honouring First Nations, Métis and Inuit children who did not return home, Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. The day is also known as Orange Shirt Day, which reminds us through storytelling, the moment Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's new, shiny orange shirt was taken away from her. The date was selected because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and acts as an opportunity to drive forward inclusive policies for the coming school year. It is also a time for everyone to learn and engage in public dialogue on the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

This time provides us an ongoing opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to connect and share stories, learn about Indigenous histories, values and experiences and celebrate Indigenous cultures.

It is important to learn and reflect on the impact colonization in Canada and Indigenous history has had on many of our brothers and sisters. We each can play an important role to create a more inclusive culture and community.

For more information and ideas on how to commemorate this day, please visit the Government of Canada website https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation or the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website https://nctr.ca/.

I invite all CMHA families to engage together today in meaning conversation, reflection, and true “ReconciliACTION” to ensure our path of lifelong learning is cherished as we move forward to a better future

Sincerely,

Rubin Prince, President

Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association