Territorial Acknowledgement
Saville Sports Centre is a facility owned by the University of Alberta. The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. Ortona Gymnastics as part of the Saville Sports Centre, respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.
Truth & Reconciliation Day
September 30th is Truth and Reconciliation Day, as well as Orange Shirt Day. It is an opportunity for all to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope. The inspiration for Orange Shirt Day came from a personal experience from Phyllis Webstad. Her story is as follows:
"I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!
When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared."
(Story from https://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html)
For more information on Orange Shirt Day please click HERE.