Please join Hymers Private Wealth September 30th for Orange Shirt Day - Because Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.
It is hard to imagine the fear, anguish and confusion young indigenous children and families endured as children were taken from their homes to attend Residential schools. Please see the below to learn more about the history and inspiration for Orange shirt day. We stand with our Indigenous friends and clients and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families. Every child and every family matters and join you in the ongoing process of healing, hope and reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013. This project was the vision of Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, who is a former student himself. It brought together former students and their families from the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in, Southern Dakelh and St’at’imc Nations along with the Cariboo Regional District, the Mayors and municipalities, School Districts and civic organizations in the Cariboo Region.
The events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Chief Justice Murray Sinclair challenged all of the participants to keep the reconciliation process alive, as a result of the realization that every former student had similar stories.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of this project. As spokesperson for the Reunion group leading up to the events, former student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl.
The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.
The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
RBC Doubles Number of Scholarships Awarded Through the Indigenous Student Awards Program
New to the program this year, RBC is now recognizing up to 20 students and increasing grants up to $5,000 for each academic year of their study
TORONTO, September 17, 2020 - In unveiling the 2020 winners of the RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced today that the program will now award 20 students with up to $5,000 for each year of their study. Previously, the program annually awarded 10 students with grants up to $4,000 each academic year for two to four years to cover educational and living expenses.
“By doubling the number of scholarships and increasing the amount for each award, we are acting on our promise to Indigenous youth to provide access to education and opportunity,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, RBC Indigenous Financial Services. “Indigenous youth have bold ideas that can create a new way forward for their communities, for Canada, and it is important that we find ways to help bring those ideas to life.”
The RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program was launched in 1992. To date, more than $1.7 million dollars have been awarded to 178 First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth across Canada pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in all disciplines. This year’s winners represent a diverse range of fields of study, including nutrition, engineering, accounting, early childhood education and environmental studies.
“Every year, the RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program gives hope to Indigenous youth in Canada that education is a meaningful way forward to better themselves and their communities,” said Ryland Conrad, a 2017 recipient of the award and now an RBC employee. “By supporting education RBC is able to ensure Indigenous youth have access to the most powerful tool in reducing poverty and inequality and building the foundation for sustained economic growth in their communities.”
In 2015, RBC signed the Declaration of Action in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls-to Action. In doing this, RBC committed to put forth tangible solutions to advance reconciliation efforts, including initiatives supporting education.
“Indigenous youth continue to face so many barriers to education – these scholarships are one way we can help remove some of those barriers, create more equality and help ensure Indigenous knowledge and perspectives flourish,” adds Sturges.
For the full list of this year’s winners, and more information about the RBC Indigenous Student Awards and how to apply, please visit http://aboriginalstudents.ca/site-sponsors/rbc/.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 86,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.
For more information, please contact:
AJ Goodman, 647-286-4032
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