September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day). This recognizes the devastating historic and ongoing impacts of the residential school system in Canada.

BCAA and Evo observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, closing our locations and allowing team members to participate in this significant day. However, observing September 30th is about more than the day itself. It presents an opportunity for all of us to demonstrate our commitment to understanding our shared history as British Columbians and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Artist Spotlight: Ovila Mailhot

In support of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, you will notice special digital signage in all BCAA Service Locations and Auto Service Centres. The artwork featured on these digital posters was specially created by Ovila Mailhot, a self-taught artist originally from Seabird Island, BC, with roots in the Nlaka'pamux and Stó:lō Nations. 

“My artwork is inspired by the traditions of my people and culture. Learning more about the ancestral elements of Coast Salish art helps me find ways to show who I am and where I'm from. Art feels vital to me. Being able to share that passion I have is important to me. This tradition of work, this beauty, is so necessary for our culture and healing.”

Ovi’s design for BCAA features two Salish eagles within a heart – clean and simple, yet elegant and bold.

"To me Truth and Reconciliation Day is the day we honor the residential school survivors and children our people lost. A day of remembrance and reflection for our Nation as we continue looking towards the path of healing."

For more of Ovi’s art, visit Salish Son Design.

BCAA’s Reconciliactions

As a Purpose-led organization, we must do our part to reflect on our complex historical role in British Columbia and with Indigenous communities. Here are a few ways we’re listening, learning and actively advancing reconciliation today and into the future:

• Launching an organization-wide Reconciliation Action Plan that will guide our future reconciliation-related plans and activities in: Vocation & Training, Cultural Awareness & Education and Community Outreach & Engagement.
• Offering reconciliation-related learning opportunities to team members, including a 4-part microlearning video series on Indigenous history in Canada. Layering educational content from Indigenous legal scholar Janice Makokis with first-hand storytelling from Indigenous team members, this series facilitates foundational learning about Indian Residential Schools, the Scoops, the Indian Act and the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. 
• Evo partners with the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) to offer discounted museum entry and access to guided tours and storytelling, traditional drum songs and more.
• We partnered with the SLCC to display Indigenous art on Evolve E-Bikes around Whistler. The initiative featured two Indigenous artists: Chief Ray Natraoro (Ses Siyam), a well-respected artist from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation); and Redmond Q̓áwam̓ Andrews, a talented young artist from Lil̓wat7ul (the Lil’wat Nation) and SLCC Cultural Ambassador. Both artists focused on the Spo7ez story, helping to inspire Whistler locals and visitors to learn more about the histories, rich cultures and peaceful co-existence of the two Nations.  
• We partnered with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Nuu-Chah-Nulth artist Joshua Watts to display Indigenous art on Evolve E-Scooters around Squamish. Joshua’s design focused on the Thunderbird – a carrier of energy, transformation and relationship to place. 
• The artwork for the BCAA Fireweed Pin was designed by Quw’utsun Tribes artist Charlene Johnny, honouring the fireweed’s significance to Indigenous Peoples. Through this collaboration, we’re celebrating our collective strength in the face of wildfires and our ability to recover and rebuild, together.
• This year’s BCAA Fireweed Pin proceeds will support First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), a First Nations-led organization that partners with communities across BC to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires. Their work helps build safer, healthier and more resilient communities.  
• Including location-specific land acknowledgements within BCAA Service Locations and Auto Service Centres in consultation with local Indigenous communities.  
• Continuing to donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, a BC-based organization that provides services to residential school Survivors. 
• Through our BCAA Gives Back platform, our team members can contribute to Indigenous organizations advocating to keep Indigenous culture and history alive, and who are working hard to improve the lives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the province and country.  
• On September 30, Evolve is sponsoring Victoria's 6th Annual Ride & Reconciliation by providing e-bikes for participants. If you're in the area, join this free, family-friendly ride in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

This signifies the beginning of our continuous learning journey as an organization. BCAA and Evo are committed to continuing to incorporate reconciliation into our policies, practices and culture in alignment with the TRC’s Calls to Action.

^{IRSSS staff provide emotional and cultural support at a conference held by the Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools. (Image credit: Indian Residential School Survivors Society)}

What can you do?

Reconciliation is an ongoing and active process in which we can all take part. Here are a few suggestions to honour those lost, the Survivors, their families and communities by learning together:

• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reports, including the TRC's Calls to Action
• Watch ‘Wawahte: Stories of Residential School Survivors’
• Read ‘Five Little Indians’ by Michelle Good
• Listen to podcast ‘Kuper Island’