- Truth and Reconciliation: Relational accountability in action | Aug. 29, 2025
- Thee eat (Truth) – Siem Te'ta-in, Sound of Thunder, HDOL, Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper, Honourary Doctorate of Original Laws, Native Education College shares this Coast Salish teaching with us: “You need to say the truth all the time. How you act and show up must be truthful. We need to be truthful in our work, and we need our truth to be heard and not denied. We must not deny the truth of the history, and we must remain committed to addressing it."
At BCCNM we believe that to advance our reconciliation journey, we must first pause, reflect, and acknowledge Thee eat (truth), which is that Indigenous-specific racism exists, and it is operating within our health care system every single day.
September 2025 marks ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed its mandate, which was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience. This included First Nations, Inuit, and Métis former residential school students, their families, and communities. The final report included Ten Principles for Reconciliation and 94 Calls to Action that speak to all sectors of Canadian society to move toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. There is a section specific to the health sector that has seven Calls to Action (18-24).
Mazina Giizhik, the late Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, served as the TRC's Chief Commissioner. While presenting the final report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action, at its closing event in Ottawa, Justice Murray Sinclair said “We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the way to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing." Today, we acknowledge his passing in November 2024 and take a moment to reflect and honour his life and invaluable contributions specifically in leading this important work.
We acknowledge that not enough progress has been made to address and implement the 94 Calls to Action. After 10 years, only 15 have been implemented. This is a disservice and dishonour to the more than 6,500 Indigenous Peoples who shared their truths with the TRC.
August 2025 brought another painful truth from the Shíshálh Nation: residential school survivors have led researchers to locate an additional 41 unmarked graves identified by archaeologists, at the former St. Augustine's residential school site, bringing the total to 81. This devastating news is yet another reminder of the harm caused by the residential school systems inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples and communities, and the lasting impacts that continues to be felt today.
BCCNM remains committed to our own reconciliation journey. As part of our ongoing work to address Indigenous-specific racism in the health-care system, we have reviewed and incorporated the health recommendations and all other Calls to Action that could pertain to our work, within our updated Redressing Harm to Indigenous Peoples in the BC Healthcare system Plan (Redress Plan) . On September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the college will publish our updated commitments document as part of “Redressing Harm to Indigenous Peoples in the Health-care System."
Reconciliation and Redress
Throughout September, BCCNM will be sharing articles and resources about the ongoing work of the college towards reconciliation and towards building a health system where everyone can receive equitable, competent, and culturally safe care.
Only by paddling together can we foster trust, understanding, and meaningful change in the health-care system. Together, we stand committed to reconciliation, today and every day.
Learn more, join the conversation and do your part:
- Truth and Reconciliation Month: Highlighting Indigenous Luminaries | Sept. 17, 2025
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In August, the
BC Government announced the latest inductees into the Order of B.C. Since 1989, the Order of B.C. has recognized individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to British Columbia and beyond. A number of Indigenous recipients were awarded the order this year, who we wanted to highlight:
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Stan Bevan (Satsan)
Stan Bevan (Satsan), a Tahltan-Tlingit/Tsimshian master carver, has shaped Northwest Coast First Nations art for more than 40 years through his artistry and dedication to education. In 2006, he co-founded the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art at Coast Mountain College with Dempsey Bob and Ken McNeil.
Over 16 years, Stan mentored more than 150 students, creating a space where Indigenous artists could master traditional formline design and express their cultural identities. His leadership helped secure funding from the Cargill Foundation and led to 70 alumni works being displayed across the campus.
Stan's legacy includes over 100 monumental sculptures worldwide. In 2023, he collaborated with Dempsey Bob and Māori artist Lyonel Grant on a totem pole for Emily Carr University. Though his gallery presence declined during his teaching years, his influence grew, inspiring First Nations communities across B.C. Humble and generous, Stan credits his students as much as they credit him.
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Elder Gwen Harry (Chésha7 / Wigistame) Elder Gwen Harry (Chésha7 / Wigistame) of the Squamish First Nation has devoted more than 70 years to education, advocacy and cultural preservation. As a residential school survivor, she turned hardship into a lifelong mission of service.
In the 1960s, she founded Totem Preschool — one of Canada's first Indigenous early learning centres. As a Squamish Nation councillor, she helped secure key agreements like the Sea to Sky Highway and Aboriginal Enhancement Agreements. She was instrumental in the founding of Quest University, later receiving its first honorary doctorate and inspiring the Gwen Harry Award for Indigenous Students.
A respected voice in reconciliation, she was an honoured guest representing her community as part of the 2008 federal apology for residential schools. Her leadership spans generations — raising seven children, mentoring youth and advising leaders.
Honoured with awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, Elder Gwen remains a powerful force for healing, justice and education. At 94, her legacy continues to inspire across communities and generations.
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Chief Robert Louie (Simo)
Chief Robert Louie (Simo) has spent more than 50 years advancing Indigenous self-governance and economic empowerment. As Chief (y̓il̓mixʷm) of the Westbank First Nation (WFN) for more than 27 years, he led the negotiation of the landmark Westbank Self-Government Agreement, setting a national precedent.
Under his leadership, WFN achieved economic self-sufficiency and sustainable growth. Beyond his community, Chief Louie has served on over 30 corporate boards and is the Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, Canada's largest Indigenous financial institution. As Chair of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, he has championed land governance and economic development for First Nations across Canada. He has also represented Canada at the World Indigenous Business Forum and advised institutions like UBC and the BC Achievement Foundation.
Honoured as an officer of the Order of Canada, his lifetime of service has inspired a national movement toward Indigenous equity and reconciliation. Chief Louie has demonstrated bold leadership and created lasting, transformative change.
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- Truth and Reconciliation Month: Orange Shirt Day | Sept. 17, 2025
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This post was adapted from the website of the
Orange Shirt Society. We are grateful for their ongoing work in upholding the legacy of the survivors and victims of the Indian Residential School system.
The Legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013. This project was the vision of Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, who is a former student himself. It brought together former students and their families from the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot'in, Southern Dakelh and St'at'imc Nations along with the Cariboo Regional District, the Mayors and municipalities, School Districts and civic organizations in the Cariboo Region.
The events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Chief Justice Murray Sinclair challenged all of the participants to keep the reconciliation process alive, as a result of the realization that every former student had similar stories.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of this project. As spokesperson for the Reunion group leading up to the events, former student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl.
The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30 is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.
The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
Phyllis Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, was born in Dog Creek, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. Today, Phyllis is married, has one son, a stepson and five grandchildren. She is the Founder and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society, and tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. She has now published two books, the “Orange Shirt Story" and “Phyllis's Orange Shirt" for younger children.
She earned diplomas in Business Administration from the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology; and in Accounting from Thompson Rivers University. Phyllis received the 2017 TRU Distinguished Alumni Award for her unprecedented impact on local, provincial, national and international communities through the sharing of her orange shirt story.