Black Diamond Group Recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Spike Eagle Speaker Jr.
October 01, 2024
On September 30, Black Diamond Group honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a powerful presentation featuring song and drum, followed by an insightful discussion led by Spike Eagle Speaker Jr. of the Siksika Nation. During this session, Spike shared his deeply personal experiences of intergenerational trauma stemming from the residential school system and his own time in day school.
As he spoke to the audience, Spike vividly recounted his formative years, highlighting the profound importance of commemorative observances like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Through poignant anecdotes, he illustrated the transformative role that song and drum have played in his healing journey, emphasizing, “When words fail us, songs reconnect us. Singing is medicine.”
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation emerged from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which operated from 2008 to 2015. This comprehensive process culminated in a final report that included 94 Calls to Action, one of which — Call to Action #80 — specifically urged the federal government to create a national holiday to honour the painful history and legacy of residential schools. In 2021, the federal government officially designated September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, reinforcing the commitment to acknowledge and reflect on this critical aspect of Canadian history.
Before the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Canada observed September 30 as Orange Shirt Day. This day is rooted in the story of Phyllis Webstad, who, on her first day at St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School, had her brand-new orange shirt, gifted to her by her grandmother, taken away and never returned. This act of theft symbolized the broader loss of culture and identity experienced by many who attended residential schools.
For the past decade, Canadians have donned orange on September 30 to recognize and honour the resilience of those children who attended these institutions and bravely shared their traumatic truths. It serves as a day of remembrance for those who never returned and a gesture of respect for their families.
Spike Eagle Speaker Jr. is an accomplished singer, drummer, dancer and a prominent figure in the world of Indigenous arts and culture. Hailing from the Siksika Nation, or the Blackfoot Confederacy, he has received numerous internationally recognized awards for his contributions to preserving and promoting Indigenous traditions. As a song holder, Spike carries forward the rich heritage of the Blackfoot people and other Indigenous communities, through his knowledge and talent.
At Black Diamond Group, we are committed to fostering and maintaining meaningful partnerships with the Indigenous communities where we live, work, and play.
“We believe in the power of Indigenous inclusion and demonstrate this through community activities and our business policies and procedures,” says Jonathan Stringer, VP, WFS Operations & Indigenous Partnerships. “Our collective commitment extends to the Calls of Action through Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and observing days like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation reminds us of our responsibility to listen, learn, and act.”
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and the truth, we acknowledge that we visit, work and frequently operate on ancestral territories. We honour the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people of Canada, the Native American Tribes of the United States, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people of Australia.
As he spoke to the audience, Spike vividly recounted his formative years, highlighting the profound importance of commemorative observances like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Through poignant anecdotes, he illustrated the transformative role that song and drum have played in his healing journey, emphasizing, “When words fail us, songs reconnect us. Singing is medicine.”
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation emerged from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which operated from 2008 to 2015. This comprehensive process culminated in a final report that included 94 Calls to Action, one of which — Call to Action #80 — specifically urged the federal government to create a national holiday to honour the painful history and legacy of residential schools. In 2021, the federal government officially designated September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, reinforcing the commitment to acknowledge and reflect on this critical aspect of Canadian history.Before the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Canada observed September 30 as Orange Shirt Day. This day is rooted in the story of Phyllis Webstad, who, on her first day at St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School, had her brand-new orange shirt, gifted to her by her grandmother, taken away and never returned. This act of theft symbolized the broader loss of culture and identity experienced by many who attended residential schools.
For the past decade, Canadians have donned orange on September 30 to recognize and honour the resilience of those children who attended these institutions and bravely shared their traumatic truths. It serves as a day of remembrance for those who never returned and a gesture of respect for their families.
Spike Eagle Speaker Jr.
Spike Eagle Speaker Jr. is an accomplished singer, drummer, dancer and a prominent figure in the world of Indigenous arts and culture. Hailing from the Siksika Nation, or the Blackfoot Confederacy, he has received numerous internationally recognized awards for his contributions to preserving and promoting Indigenous traditions. As a song holder, Spike carries forward the rich heritage of the Blackfoot people and other Indigenous communities, through his knowledge and talent.
Our Commitment to the Path Forward
At Black Diamond Group, we are committed to fostering and maintaining meaningful partnerships with the Indigenous communities where we live, work, and play.  |
Scott McLeod, Manager, Indigenous Relations (right), gifting ceremonial tobacco to Spike Eagle Speaker (left)
“We believe in the power of Indigenous inclusion and demonstrate this through community activities and our business policies and procedures,” says Jonathan Stringer, VP, WFS Operations & Indigenous Partnerships. “Our collective commitment extends to the Calls of Action through Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and observing days like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation reminds us of our responsibility to listen, learn, and act.”
