Carleton University must follow the lead of the federal government, Queen’s University and other major institutions by pausing regular activities and instead holding meaningful programming on Sept. 30.
Carleton officially declares itself “committed to conciliation with Indigenous Peoples” and encourages the community to observe Orange Shirt Day, yet the academic calendar marks the day only as a course withdrawal deadline.
Classes and events proceed uninterrupted, with no formal pause for reflection.
Even the university’s Orange Shirt Day statement is mostly symbolic actions, such as lowering a flag to half-mast and illuminating the campus with orange lights, instead of focusing on concrete and impactful measures.
Collecting donations for the Minwaashin Lodge Emergency Food Cupboard is a very small step in the right direction, but Carleton has the financial and institutional power to do much more.
Other universities have moved beyond symbolism so that students and staff can meaningfully observe the day. By contrast, Carleton pushes commemoration to the sidelines. These token gestures are not enough on a day of mourning and learning.
If the school truly cares about reconciliation, it must do more than talk. The administration must make Sept. 30 a campus-wide day of education and reflection, cancel classes and host Indigenous-led ceremonies, talks or workshops.
Carleton’s failure to formally pause for reflection is a betrayal of the values it claims to uphold. This is not a scheduling conflict, it’s a matter of respect.
Anything less is unacceptable in the pursuit of reconciliation.
