Decolonising Institutions: StFX Observes Truth and Reconciliation Day

On September 30th, 2025, StFX University hosted a ceremony for Truth and Reconciliation day in Mulroney Hall. The event was packed with people from the campus and community attending the ceremony, with a crowd so large it appeared as a sea of orange from above. Orange Shirt Day was recognized in Canada in 2013, a result of activism that sought to raise awareness on Indigenous human rights issues and the legacy of residential schools specifically. Orange Shirt Day was later renamed Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2021, with the ceremonies being held at StFX ever since.  

Savannah Paul, President of StFX’s Indigenous Student Society, opened the event.  After a land acknowledgement she invited Kerry Prosper, StFX’s Elder-in-Residence and the former Chief of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. From the StFX website, Elder Prosper ‘'works with StFX students on their projects and subjects that deal with Indigenous issues’’ as well as serves “on anti-racism committees and other campus initiatives”. 

Elder Prosper commenced a smudging ceremony, which involves burning incenses of sacred herbs (such as sage), the smoke of which dispels negative energies from a person’s body and spirit. He explained, “Smudging is a way of preparing ourselves for gatherings or ceremonies, it puts your mind in a good place,” He followed it with a prayer, reminding the audience that we must look out for each other. 

Elder Prosper was followed by Toby Condo, an Indigenous spiritual advisor for correctional services and a sun dancer. He was asked to do a performance for those in attendance. His song echoed loud throughout Mulroney’s halls, and it appeared that the natural lighting coming from the windows brightened in response to his music.  

StFX’s president, Dr. Andy Hakin was invited up to speak. He thanked Elder Prosper and Toby Condo for the moving prayer and song. 

“Today, we come to an event, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, this ceremony is about responsibility. It is about reflection, and importantly, it’s about ongoing action.” 

Dr. Hakin spoke of action with reconciliation, how it is not enough to simply recognize the past, and how we must also work towards a better future. He spoke to the importance of Truth and Reconciliation Day, about listening and learning, and about reconciling with the country’s dark past.  

“Action, not words” he spoke. 

After Dr. Hakin’s address, Judith Banman Jansen, an Indigenous woman and honours student from the Anthropology department, was invited up to read the Cobra Collins poem “Wild West”. The poem is about Truth and Reconciliation, and a reminder about what happened at the Residential schools in not-so-distant history. 

StFX’s chair of the Faculty Commission on Reconciliation, Dr. Erin Morton, spoke on how we can engage with Truth and Reconciliation and what individual students can do to help. She said that we can start by tracing our own family histories and seeing what side of Canadian history they were on. All Canadians who are not Indigenous come from a family that immigrated during colonisation and understanding when and how they got here can help us put together our history as a whole. 

Kaisan Stevens, an Anthropology student from Eskasoni First Nations, gave a Mi’kmaq perspective on Truth and Reconciliation and spoke of decolonisation in our institutions and daily life.  

The closing speaker, StFX’s Indigenous Student Advisor Cynthia Sewell, read literature on Truth and Reconciliation and provided the attendees with a song to end the ceremony. She gave a history of Truth and Reconciliation Day and invited everyone to participate in the ribbon tying ceremony. 

 The crowd was invited to view the Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers concert that was happening in the Schwartz Auditorium, a staple event of StFX’s Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonies.