Today and every day PTAG stands in solidarity with the residential school survivors, their families, and our indigenous community members.

Today September 30th, 2021, marks Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, promoting awareness of Canada’s residential schools and the trauma they caused Indigenous and Métis Peoples for generations. This day was commissioned by the federal government of Canada in June 2021 to acknowledge and reflect upon the country’s history of wrongdoings towards its indigenous communities that caused multigenerational trauma.

This federal day coincides with Orange Shirt Day which is an indigenous-led commemorative day to raise awareness on the history of residential schools, remembering and honoring those who never returned back home. It is observed in response to the horrific experience of a six years old Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. On the first day of her school, she arrived in a new orange shirt. Sadly, she was stripped of her clothes and her clothes were taken away. This is one of many dehumanizing acts of the residential school system which still haunts the community members.

Canada has come a long way and developed as a nation over time. Governments, businesses, and people continue to evolve and improve the society while acknowledging the wrongdoings and crimes committed in the past. Recognizing the mistakes of the past is a step towards assuring the society that these crimes will not occur again.

PTAG team stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, their families, and the indigenous communities. We honor and respect this national day for Truth and Reconciliation and every day throughout the year. We are committed towards the upliftment and strengthening of our indigenous community. This year PTAG became a committed member of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB). We understand our role in the society and as a business, we feel it’s our responsibility to help bring resources and educate the members of our indigenous community for them to prosper.

We encourage ourselves and others to learn about the rich cultures, experiences, and stories of our indigenous people.

Watch the videos as survivors share their experiences and the importance of Truth and Reconciliation Day:

Description of visual elements of the National Truth and Reconciliation Day graphic:

Know more on PTAG’s Diversity & Inclusion Values