We are taking time to remember and reflect on September 30th

West Shore, Indigenous Policing Services

2022-09-29 10:52 PDT

West Shore RCMP officers and municipal staff will be wearing orange on September 30th. We encourage everyone to take time on this day to remember the survivors of Residential Schools. Remember the children who did not come home, and reflect on the ongoing traumatic impacts of Residential Schools.

We are honoured to have Chief Robert Thomas of Esquimalt Nation, Councillor Margaret Charlie of Songhees Nation, West Shore RCMP Cst. Cole Brewer of Okanagan Nation Lower Smilkameen Indian Band and Superintendent Todd Preston along with West Shore RCMP employees, take part in this commemorative video.

Transcription

Scene 1: Three people wearing orange shirts standing outside with the water behind them. Cst. Cole Brewer of the West Shore RCMP standing in the centre playing his drum. Standing on his left is Chief Rob Thomas and standing in his right is Councillor Margaret Charlie.

Cst Brewer begins singing an Indigenous song while drumming.

Scene 2: Song fades out and Cst. Brewer, Chief Thomas and Councillor Charlie are standing together. They introduce themselves and begin speaking about September 30th, Truth and Reconciliation day and Orange Shirt Day.

Chief Thomas: Hello everyone, my name is Chief Rob Thomas from the Esquimalt Nation.

Councillor Charlie: Hello everyone, my name is Margaret Charlie, elected Councillor for Songhees Nation.

Cst. Brewer: I’m Constable Cole Brewer of the Okanagan Nation Lower Smilkameen Indian Band. Every year September 30th marks the national day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as Orange Shirt Day.

Chief Thomas: This day honours the children who never returned home, the survivors of Residential Schools, as well as their families and communities.

Cst. Brewer: Public commemoration of tragic and painful history and the ongoing impact of Residential Schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Councillor Charlie: Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous led grassroots movement, intended to raise awareness of the family, community and inter-generational impacts of Residential Schools. [And] declare that Every Child Matters.

All together in unison: Hych'ka Siem - this translates to Thank you respected one

Scene 3: Superintendent Todd Preston of the West Shore RCMP, is standing centre wearing an orange shirt. Behind him, standing silently are approximately 30 West Shore RCMP employees also wearing orange shirts.

Superintendent Preston is speaking about the importance of taking the time to remember the victims of Residential schools.

Superintendent Todd Preston: On September 30 th, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange. To honour the Residential School survivors and remember the children that did not come home.

Cst Brewer: [playing his drum and singing and Indigenous song] We are beautiful, because we are Indigenous, because our land is beautiful. Hych'ka

Scene 5: Video comes to an end by depicting the logos of Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, West Shore RCMP and RCMP Government of Canada logos.


 

Released by

Cpl. Nancy Saggar

Media Relations Officer
West Shore RCMP
698 Atkins Avenue, Victoria, BC V9B 3A4
Office: 250-474-2264
Fax: 250-474-8790

Email: westshore_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: westshore.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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