This article was published in September 2021 and may be outdated.
Every Child Matters flag outside 360 Portage Ave.
Enlarge image: A vivid orange Every Child Matters flag flies in the wind.
All Manitoba Hydro offices will be closed on Thursday, September 30, as Manitoba Hydro recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools and to honour the survivors, their families and communities that have been affected by residential schools.
Emergency service response will continue as per normal practice.
The legacy of the past remains a strong influence on Manitoba Hydro’s relationships with Indigenous communities today, and we remain committed to establishing and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities.
Rose Monkman (Distribution Engineering) raises the Every Child Matters flag outside 360 Portage Ave.
A vivid orange Every Child Matters flag now flies in front of 360 Portage Avenue to honour the survivors of the residential school system, their families and their communities, and to remember those who never returned home.
A second flag is also on display at our northern Keeyask Project where a full day of on-site events are planned for September 30.
“With both Orange Shirt Day and the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday on September 30, raising the Every Child Matters flag is a pathway forward for Manitoba Hydro to show our support to Indigenous peoples as we remember the impact and legacy of residential schools,” said Kevin Monkman (Indigenous & Community Relations). “Flying the flag outside our corporate headquarters is a meaningful statement – it visibly shows that our organization is standing with Indigenous peoples and communities to work towards reconciliation.”
The new national holiday fulfills Call-to-Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report from 2015. It is intended to serve as a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning.
“It’s important for people to understand there is a connection between what we have come to know as Orange Shirt Day on September 30, and the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission to bring forward the truth about the residential school system for healing, to commemorate this legacy, and to pave the way for reconciliation,” said Maria M’Lot (Indigenous & Community Relations).
“For some, this just may be a day off work, however our hope is that many will take an opportunity to learn or participate in events or programming offered as we still have much work to do to right this great wrong.”
Manitoba Hydro encourages their employees to observe and participate in this important day in their own way through remembrance, reflection, action or learning.