A conversation with Orange Shirt Society speaker Hank Adam

Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we were honoured to speak with Hank Adam, an intergenerational residential school survivor speaker with the Orange Shirt Society. The Orange Shirt Society was formed in 2015 to create awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of Canada's residential schools, to support reconciliation and to promote the truth that every child matters.

In this episode, Hank Adam shares his story to raise awareness of the impact of Canada's residential schools and the painful legacy they have left behind, as well as suggestions for how the legal profession can advance Truth and Reconciliation. 

Please note this episode contains references to violence. Residential school survivors and their families who need help can call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Hotline at 866.925.4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada. Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1.855.242.3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

For resources on Truth and Reconciliation, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website at nctr.ca. 

The full text transcript is available.