A message from the CEO/Registrar
As an employer and organization charged with regulating the practice of professional engineering, Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) is committed to enable and promote a culture of inclusion that reflects the diversity of Ontario.
Today, September 30, marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This federal statutory holiday was established in response to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, “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.”
This federal holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day. This originated in 2013 from the story of Phyllis Webstad, who, at the age of six, had her new orange shirt taken away from her on her first day attending St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. Orange Shirt Day has been a global day to honour the children who were sent to residential schools and raise awareness about the tragic history and legacy of the residential school system.
In the spirit of healing, truth-telling and reconciliation, we encourage our community to take time to learn, reflect, and discuss our collective responsibility to advance truth and reconciliation.
Sincerely,
Johnny Zuccon, P.Eng., FEC
CEO/Registrar
Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
Additional Resources
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Reports
- Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- The Origin of Orange Shirt Day in Canada (Video)
- The Origin of Orange Shirt Day in Canada (Document)
- Begin your learning journey
- Books by Indigenous writers to read to understand residential schools (CBC Article)
- Integrating Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in Engineering: Interview with Deanna Burgart (WWEST, Podcast)