Indigenous leader encourages community to join in healing, unity on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Founder of York Region non-profit Odeiwin shares how attending gatherings, wearing orange shirts show solidarity

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 25, 2023
Melissa Wallace

Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, and remember those who never made it home.

Recognizing Canada’s role in Indigenous history is an important first step, but there is more people can do to learn and develop a greater depth of understanding. Odeiwin, a York Region non-profit launched in September 2022, is hosting an event that day in Richmond Hill. YorkRegion.com spoke with founder Jay Shea to learn about the organization and its upcoming event.

TELL ME ABOUT ODEIWIN AND YOUR PURPOSE IN STARTING THIS ORGANIZATION.

Odeiwin is an ecosystem of partnerships that provides Indigenous community members with innovative skills training, employment and entrepreneurship support programs while ensuring a continued connection to our community and culture. We are focused on decreasing barriers for our Indigenous community while creating safe spaces that foster pathways to truth and reconciliation for all community members.

WHY WAS CREATING THIS ECOSYSTEM IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Many of us grew up disconnected from our communities. My family and ancestors are from the Mushkego territory. While I'm a member of Albany First Nations, I was born and raised in Toronto and now live in Richmond Hill. Like potentially hundreds of thousands of other urban Indigenous people, we grew up with our own set of barriers. My family and I travel a lot for ceremonies, and one day, my kids asked, “Why do we travel so far?” Not all Indigenous community members have access to transportation and realizing York Region wasn’t being served, we set out to change that.

WHAT POSITIVES HAVE YOU SEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR THROUGH ODEIWIN?

We have seen a renewed sense of belonging, a greater connection to culture, and the creation of new and safe spaces for elders, knowledge keepers and all community members to share, listen, learn and heal together.

Recently, we launched our Odeiwin: Lead virtual program and community leaders from BC, Nunavut, and Newfoundland, as well as municipal and federal government employees and representatives from large companies all signed up. What started as a focus to provide programs and services for York Region has since turned into the realization of the impact our initial programs could have across Canada.

ODEIWIN: CONNECT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANYONE TO LEARN THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS AND IS HOSTING THE NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION IN RICHMOND HILL. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THIS EVENT?

The event is an opportunity for our community to listen, learn, share and heal together. It’s a chance to foster understanding, empathy and solidarity with Indigenous people as we move forward on the path of reconciliation.

Indigenous leaders will share their stories, knowledge and perspectives on reconciliation; and the public can experience the traditional grandfather drum; witness the power of the sacred fire, symbolizing renewal, healing and community spirit; and learn about the significance of traditional medicine.

WHAT DOES WEARING AN ORANGE SHIRT TELL THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY?

The orange shirt is a symbol representing the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. If you don’t have an orange shirt, you can even cut a piece of orange cloth and just pin it to your shirt. It’s not about the shirt itself, it’s about showing compassion and acknowledging that residential schools are a part of Canada’s history.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS PEOPLE CAN EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT INDIGENOUS HISTORY?

Attend workshops, gatherings, events, ceremonies and/or powwows. There are lots of opportunities to connect and learn. If you are in a position to do so, bring in knowledge keepers to teach, but please do not ask them to do it for free. Treat them as you would any other speaker you would bring into your workplace or school.

The Truth and Reconciliation Day event hosted by Odeiwin will take place Sept. 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Richmond Hill Public Library (Central branch), 1 Atkinson St, Richmond Hill. Learn more at https://odeiwin.ca.