An organization representing First Nations in southern Manitoba is starting a month-long campaign to commemorate and offer solidarity to those who were affected by residential schools.

“September has been a traumatic month for First Nation people because it was the month the children were stolen from our communities,” says SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels in a media release. “This September, and for the next 30 days and every day after, I call on all those who now share this land to learn everything you can about this dark period in Canada’s history, so that we can properly honour Survivors and remember the innocent lives lost because of it.”

The Southern Chiefs' Organization is spearheading the Orange Heart Awareness campaign, which will include information about residential schools and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 on billboards, bus boards and transit shelters.

"We call on our Treaty partners to find meaningful ways to address the damage done to First Nation people and communities."

This year is the first year that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed in Canada. It was created in response to Call to Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It called for a statutory holiday "to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process."

Conversations around truth and reconciliation have captured much of the country's attention this year as thousands of unmarked graves have been uncovered at several sites of former residential schools around the country. So far 1,504 unmarked graves have been found at seven different sites. The TRC Report, released in 2015, estimates that there may be 3,200 unmarked graves in the country. The report also says that at least 4,100 children died while at residential schools.

A man holds a large tin can with smoke pouring from it and uses feathers in his hand to fan the smoke over hundreds of children's shoes that are setting on the large outdoor staircase of the Legislative buildingPeople left children's shoes on the staircase of the Legislative Building to honour the thousands of children who died at residential schools. (SCO/Facebook)

Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation is one of the communities in Manitoba using ground-penetrating technology to locate the graves. The Fort Alexander school in the community was one of 14 residential schools in Manitoba.

“We still await final word of which of our ancestors are literally buried under our feet along with closure on the criminal investigation,” says Sagkeeng Chief Derrick Henderson. “I know my community is just one of many that will be dealing with this nightmare in the months and years to come.”

"SCO asks all Canadians to use the month of September to honour Survivors, their families and communities, and to recognize the tragic legacy of Indian Residential Schools," the organization says in the release. "In the days leading up to the September 20 federal election, and with a new provincial premier soon to be sworn in, we call on our Treaty partners to find meaningful ways to address the damage done to First Nation people and communities."

The organization will be sharing information and resources on Indian Residential Schools including counselling support and healing services. The SCO has set up an Indian Residential School Survivor web page for people needing resources.

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With files from the Canadian Press