CBA President Loreley Chekay, K.C.: Statement On Truth & Reconciliation Day

• September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, commemorating residential school survivors and children who never returned home.
• The day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, symbolizes the principle that 'Every Child Matters' and highlights reconciliation as an ongoing process.
• The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) is dedicated to advancing reconciliation in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
• The CBA's refreshed Truth and Reconciliation Legal Companion Guide offers practical tools for legal professionals, including a new section on UNDRIP.
• Reconciliation demands continuous effort, humility, and accountability from all, a commitment reaffirmed by CBA President Loreley Chekay, K.C.

The journey of reconciliation is an ongoing daily endeavor, requiring sustained effort, a spirit of humility, and a readiness to accept accountability.

Each year on September 30, Canada observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This significant date serves as a solemn occasion to remember the children who tragically never returned home after being removed from their families, to offer solidarity to residential school survivors, and to acknowledge the enduring impact of this historical system on Indigenous communities and peoples today.

The day is also widely recognized as Orange Shirt Day, a designation rooted in the personal experience of Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was confiscated upon her arrival at residential school. This garment has since transformed into a powerful emblem of the principle that 'Every Child Matters,' underscoring that reconciliation is a continuous journey, not merely a singular event, requiring sustained commitment from all.

The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) has affirmed its dedication to fostering substantive reconciliation, directly addressing the Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This commitment guides the association's efforts to support and advance the ongoing work of healing and justice across the nation.

As a mark of respect and observance for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the CBA's National Office remains closed on September 30. The organization encourages its members and the public to engage in meaningful activities to mark the day, whether in professional settings or within their homes.

Among its initiatives, the CBA provides a newly updated Truth and Reconciliation Legal Companion Guide, which offers practical advice for commemorating September 30, whether within a professional setting or at home. This crucial resource is designed to furnish legal practitioners with contemporary, actionable tools aimed at cultivating enhanced comprehension, fostering respectful interactions, and driving enduring systemic transformation.

A significant addition to the guide is a new section dedicated to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which is presented as a fundamental framework for all Canadian lawyers. The journey of reconciliation is an ongoing daily endeavor, requiring sustained effort, a spirit of humility, and a readiness to accept accountability. On this specific occasion, CBA President Loreley Chekay, K.C., reaffirms the CBA's commitment to this vital work and extends an invitation for others to participate.

Source: Original reporting via Canadian Bar Association statement