Orange Shirt Day Assembly

Mr. Tate's Orange Shirt Day Speech

Moving Towards Healing and Reconciliation

Good morning everyone.

I want to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered today on the traditional territory of the Lhtako Dene. It is important that we ground our words and our actions in respect for the lands and peoples who have stewarded them for generations.

We come together at a time when the truths of Canada’s history continue to surface in powerful and often painful ways. The legacy of the residential school system is not history in the distant past—it is a reality that continues to shape lives and communities today. Survivors, their families, and Indigenous Nations carry stories of loss, of culture and language taken, of children never returned home. These truths are difficult to hear, but they are truths we must continue to honour and acknowledge.

Healing is not a single act, nor is reconciliation a final destination. They are ongoing processes—journeys that require honesty, humility, and courage. Healing begins when truth is spoken and truly heard. It deepens when we create space for survivors and communities to lead the way. And it grows when we commit, as individuals and as a country, to meaningful change.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission gifted us with 94 Calls to Action. These are not just recommendations; they are pathways—concrete steps that can guide us toward justice, equality, and respect. Answering these calls is not only the responsibility of governments and institutions, but of all of us, in our daily lives and in our relationships.

Moving towards healing requires that we listen—really listen—to Indigenous voices. It requires that we confront uncomfortable truths about colonialism and its ongoing impacts. And it requires that we act, not just in words of acknowledgement, but in policies, in classrooms, in workplaces, and in communities.

As we look ahead, we must also remember the resilience, strength, and leadership of Indigenous peoples. Culture, language, and traditions are being revitalized across this country. Survivors continue to show us what courage and strength look like. And young people are raising their voices for a future built on respect and partnership.

Today, and every day, we carry a responsibility. To remember. To learn. To act. To walk together, step by step, on the long path towards truth, reconciliation, and healing.

Let us commit to this work—not only in ceremonies like this, but in our choices, in our leadership, and in our hearts. Together, we can build a Canada where every child is cherished, every culture is respected, and every community can thrive in dignity and peace.

Thank you.