Become an Ally Through Education and Inclusive Learning: Commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Schulich ExecEd

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day, is meant to reflect on the tragedies experienced by Indigenous Peoples in the country’s former residential schools.

Schulich ExecEd recognizes and honours survivors, their families, and communities and ensures that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

We acknowledge our presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. 

Moreover, our values are rooted in accessibility and inclusion. We believe that all communities, individuals and aspiring leaders across the country, beyond urban areas, should have access to business education. These values align with the spirit of what Canadians strive for – recognizing where we haven’t been inclusive or accessible and seeking to learn and improve. 

Through our partnership with the Bimose Tribal Council, Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC), we are actively working to empower those in the community to help create a safe and inclusive learning environment that uplifts through education.

To address the development of community-specific training, Schulich Executive Education regularly partners with various Indigenous organizations to create the following online programming: 

• Bimose Tribal Council   
  • Certificate in Management Skills for Supervisors 

• Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)  
  • Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders 
  • Certificate in Management 1 
  • Certificate in Management 2

• Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC)    
  • Accelerated Management

If you are not a part of the Indigenous community but want to become an ally through education and the dismantling of oppressive structures, you can:

• Participate in Orange Shirt Day – an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not.
• Take the time to educate yourself and read about the histories of survivors and their families.
• Learn more through our Broadening Opportunity Through Leadership Diversity (B.O.L.D.) & Inclusion program.

Oppression has forced the Indigenous community to either conform or be excluded. 

It is also one of the reasons their voices continue to go unheard in the workplace and Canadian society. Schulich ExecEd strives to reconcile this by introducing specific training programs and making them available for everyone. 

For more on how you can participate in or commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, check out the events and top resources from York University’s Community.