September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day gives Canadians a chance to learn about and reflect upon this dark chapter in our country’s history and to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities. On September 30th, and every day, we honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honors the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not.
Ways to commemorate this day:
- Wear orange. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. All Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of this tragic legacy of residential schools and to honour the survivors.
- Join the Prairie Federal Council and the Canada School of Public Service for an event on the lived experiences of residential school survivors and their communities.
- National Truth and Reconciliation Week – Monday, September 27 to Friday, October 1. A full week on online programming presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.