This week the country observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is not just another day. It is a day when we pause to remember and honour the children, survivors, and families whose lives were forever changed by the residential school system.

We wear orange because of the courage of Phyllis Webstad, who shared her story with the world. Her orange shirt, taken from her on her first day at residential school, has become a symbol of what was taken from those children, their language, their culture, their sense of belonging. Phyllis turned her pain into purpose, and today, that orange shirt represents every child who was told they didn’t matter. We wear it to say, Every Child Matters.

When I spoke at our event this week, I called on our provincial government to acknowledge what happened in 1949, when Newfoundland joined Canada under Terms of Union that failed to recognize the Indigenous peoples of this land. That omission led to decades of exclusion from services, recognition, and rights. The impact is still felt today.

To those in leadership, if you’re listening, respond. Words alone are not enough. We are ready to build strong, respectful relationships with the next Premier and cabinet, but we need a government that meets us halfway. One that understands consultation must begin at the idea stage, not after decisions regarding our resources have been made and approvals are granted to those seeking profit. One that acknowledges the truth and commits to meaningful action to correct the mistakes of the past.

As a Nation, we will continue to stand firm. We will meet disrespect with dignity, hostility with honour, and ignorance with education. As the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair wisely said:

“Achieving reconciliation is like climbing a mountain. We must proceed a step at a time. It will not always be easy. There will be storms, there will be obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task because our goal is just and it is also necessary.”

This journey demands courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to truth, healing, and justice, for those we remember, and for the generations yet to come.