In observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and in support of Orange Shirt Day, DigiBC has worked with IM4 Media Lab to create an orange t-shirt for DigiBC members to purchase with proceeds going to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. We’ve commissioned an original design titled Still Here from Coast Salish artist Zac George who explains that the image, “Represents our Coast Salish teachings and way of life. The faces represent our children/ancestors who attended residential schools.”
Zac George is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. He was born and raised in North Vancouver and now lives in Chehalis, BC. His work is inspired by his late grandparents, Chief Dan and Amy George, and Robert and Betty Edge. Zac studied carving with Don Joe of Chehalis and is proud to use the Coast Salish artistic style. He lives the rich cultural lifestyle of the Salish People — he is a hunter and a fisherman and follows the traditional spirituality practiced by his people for centuries.
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We encourage DigiBC members to take time to learn about the residential school system and honour Survivors, their families, and communities. Here is a list of resources we’ve put together where you can learn more about the ongoing process of reconciliation.
►Films by Indigenous filmmakers about: Residential Schools History, Personal Accounts, Experience – Indigenous Cinema – NFB
►Canadian Shame: A History of Residential Schools by Ginger Gosnell-Myers [TedXVancouver]
►Intergenerational Trauma: Residential Schools by Historica Canada
►Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls toAction [2015]
►Lessons Learned: Survivor Perspectives [2020]
►Indian Residential School Survivors Society (irsss.ca)