Listening, Learning, and Honouring: Indigenous Voices at Classic LifeCare
September is a month for reflection, learning, and remembrance. On September 30, we recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a time to honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who were taken from their families, and recognize the lasting impacts on Indigenous communities across Canada.
The orange shirt is worn in honor of Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of the residential school system. When Phyllis was six years old, she proudly wore a brand-new orange shirt that her grandmother bought on her first day of school. However, upon arrival at the school, the school authorities took the shirt away from her, cut her hair, and forced her to wear a uniform. This seemingly small act represented the larger reality of how Indigenous children’s identities, languages, and cultures were systematically stripped from them during their time at residential schools.
September 30 gives us an important moment to pause, but reconciliation is not limited to one day. It is an ongoing journey of listening, learning, understanding, and creating space for Indigenous voices.
This month, two members of our Prince George team, Rhiannon Coupland, and Rochelle Powell, shared their personal reflections on culture, family, community, and connection.
Rhiannon Coupland, a Client Care Coordinator at Classic LifeCare, has spent recent years learning more about her family’s Métis heritage. Born in Kamloops, she spent much of her childhood moving throughout British Columbia before eventually settling in Prince George with her partner and children. As she began exploring her family history, she learned more about the discrimination previous generations experienced and came to understand why conversations about Indigenous identity were often absent while she was growing up.
Today, that journey carries an even deeper meaning. While learning about her heritage has helped her better understand her own roots, the greatest joy has been sharing that experience with her children. One of the highlights of each year is attending National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events in Prince George together, where they learn, reflect, and connect with community. As Rhiannon reflects, “I guess it’s on me to integrate myself into it, because it just wasn’t something that was part of my family growing up.”
While Rhiannon’s journey has been one of learning more about her family’s heritage, Rochelle Powell’s connection to culture is something she carries with her every day. A healthcare worker who has been with Classic LifeCare for five years, Rochelle is of Carrier heritage and stays connected through traditions and community activities such as smudging, sharing circles, berry picking, traditional foods, and gatherings.
Rochelle shares that her journey at Classic has brought her alongside people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds. These experiences have reinforced the importance of being open to learning from one another and approaching every person with curiosity, understanding, and respect.
“Be kind to each other. You never know what a person has gone through,” shares Rochelle.
For her, those simple words capture something meaningful about how we can move forward together. As she reminds us, “Small acts of kindness go a long way.”
While Rhiannon and Rochelle have their own experiences and relationships with culture, their reflections share an important thread: understanding grows when we take the time to listen, learn, and connect with one another.
Their stories remind us that reconciliation begins with relationships, through listening, learning, and creating space for understanding.
At Classic LifeCare, kindness, respect, empathy, joy and understanding are at the heart of how we care for people and the communities we serve. Recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gives us an opportunity to put those values into practice, not only by remembering, but by continuing to learn.
Ways to Honour Truth and Reconciliation This September
- Wear orange this September to honour residential school Survivors and their families
- Attend a local Truth and Reconciliation event in your community
- Learn more at the Orange Shirt Society’s official website
- Read a book by an Indigenous author, like Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese or 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
- Support an Indigenous business or organization
- Most importantly, listen
To learn more about Classic LifeCare and our commitment to building compassionate, inclusive communities, contact us.
