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Dignity of Earth and Sky is a soaring sculpture of a native woman standing high on a bluff above the Missouri River. The starquilt is made of 128 diamonds in the colors of the water and sky that surround her. Dignity is 50′ tall, weighs 12 tons, and is made of hundreds of pieces of stainless steel. Dignity honors the Native Nations of the Great Plains.

Starting this year, September 30th will be Canada’s ‘National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’… The decision is ‘In response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and to commemorate the legacy of residential schools’.

… and the tally keeps getting bigger. We grieve, and may we grow.

Considering it was first introduced back in September of last year, it’s fair to say that the sudden push to see it through is happening at a pretty convenient time… But it is one way to ensure that the ‘tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten’. The new statutory holiday will focus on honouring survivors, their families, and their communities.

The U of A Orange Shirt was created by Artist-in-Residence Jerry Whitehead and First Peoples’ House. All proceeds from the sales go back to honour our intergenerational survivors of Indian Residential schools at the U of A.

Beyond this, the day will ensure that public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process…. [and] we hope to see Canada also put as much effort into educating people about Indigenous culture and joy.

Source: Curoicity.com

Retelling the Good Story

For more in the theme of truth and reconciliation, see “Retelling the Good Story” – for truth and reconciliation is found in the story of the Author of  Reconciliation.

For more see “Truth & Reconciliation.”

For more about this day see “The history behind the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation“.