OTTAWA, September 28, 2024 – Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Numerous public local activities and gatherings organized to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools. will be held in Toronto, Ottawa and across Canada.

Why do we wear orange?

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Across the country, you can find open to public local activities and gatherings organized to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools.

Find an event near you by following hashtag #NDTR on social media.

Illuminating Parliament Hill

To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and to honour the Survivors, their families, and communities, the Peace Tower and the Senate Building will be illuminated in orange throughout the evening of September 30.

Toronto sign will be lit orange and City of Toronto flags will be lowered to half mast

To mark the day, flags at City Hall, civic centres and other City facilities will be lowered to half-mast and the TORONTO sign will be lit orange on September 30. The Survivors Flag  – an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada – will also be flown at half-mast at City Hall and civic centres.

Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – National Commemorative Gathering

APTN and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation present Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a 90-minute commemorative gathering. The multilingual event will be broadcast live from Parliament Hill, starting at 3 pm (ET) on APTN and APTN Languages.

Truth and Reconciliation Week

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers a free virtual educational program from September 23-27, 2024, to all schools across Canada. This is a transformative journey for students, educators, and the broader community to engage with the history and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Programming is available in English, French and ASL. Registration is required.

Mental health supports available

Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 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 (Please use Google Chrome).

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action

There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:

• the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
• apologies by the government
• the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.

What can I do?

Reconciliation is the responsibility of every Canadian. It means acknowledging the past and ensuring history never repeats itself by respecting Indigenous treaties and rights, and letting go of negative perceptions and stereotypes to work towards solidarity. Reflect on how you can work towards reconciliation in your own life and create your own personal reconciliation plan.

Educate Yourself

• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action   and the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice .
• Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples .
• Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website .
• Explore the Legacy of Hope Foundation ‘s online exhibitions and educational resources about the history and effects of the residential school system, the Sixties Scoop , and the ongoing experiences Indigenous Peoples continue to face.
• Learn about residential schools and take a tour of former sites, such as the Woodland Cultural Centre. 
• Learn about Mohawk Village Memorial Park  to honour the children who attended the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School, which operated from 1834 to 1970.
• Research First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in your area to understand their history and contributions to society. Learn about The Indigenous History of Tkaronto  via  University of Toronto Libraries.
• We are all treaty people. Learn how you can honour treaties via ontario.ca/page/treaties  and native-land.ca .
• Learn about the significance of land acknowledgements and learn the one in your area. Watch Land acknowledgements: uncovering an oral history of Tkaronto  via Local Love.
• Read the UNESCO’s proclamation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 to 2032) .
• Access the Indigenous Resource Guide  by Nova Scotia Community College Libraries.
• Explore Two Spirit and LGBTQIA Indigenous Resources  via University of Toronto Libraries.
• Watch films and documentaries that reflect on the residential school experience, including the National Film Board of Canada ‘s rich collection of Indigenous-made films.
• Watch an Awakenings short film
  • A Portrait in Red (A short film by Alexandra Lazarowich, 2020)  covers the relocation of the Don Valley River and the impact of land extraction on the Indigenous peoples origins of Tkaronto.
  • Reflections with Alex Lazarowich  discusses missing and murdered Indigenous women and the impact of environmental disasters affecting natural resources for Indigenous people across Canada.
  • Acknowledgment (A short film by Jonathan Elliott, 2020)  and Reflections with Jonathan Elliott  outline evolving land acknowledgments.

Participate

• Wear orange on September 30 for Orange Shirt Day to honour Phyllis’ story .
• Buy an orange shirt from an Indigenous artist or company that supports Indigenous causes, including directly from the Toronto History Museums online shop .
• Explore programs at City-run museums
  • What is a Treaty? Pop-up Talk at Fort York National Historic Site on September 20 and 27 at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
  • ReconciliACTION art exhibition by Nyle Miigizi Johnston and W’ dae b’ wae that showcases Anishinaabe stories and teachings at the Market Gallery, located on St. Lawrence Market’s 2nd floor, Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until December 29.
  • Receive a free colouring book of ReconciliACTION exhibition artwork by Nyle Miigizi Johnston and W’ dae b’ wae of Anishinaabe stories and teachings when visiting any of the 10 Toronto History Museums from September 27 to 29.
• Attend local community events
  • Indigenous Legacy Gathering  at Nathan Phillips Square from September 27 to 30.
  • Spirit Garden Opening at Nathan Phillips Square on September 30 at 2 p.m.
  • Truth and Reconciliation in the Healing Garden at The Gatehouse on September 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required .
• Read books written by Indigenous authors, writers, illustrators and Knowledge Keepers. Browse the curated list of Indigenous must-reads  by the Toronto Public Library.
• Support local Indigenous artists and businesses.
• Support the reclamation of identity, language and culture  and learn greetings and phrases  in Indigenous languages.
• Visit the TORONTO Sign in Nathan Phillips Square, which currently features an artwork titled Rekindle, designed by Toronto-based artist Joseph Sagaj  in recognition of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 to 2032) . It will be lit orange on September 30.

Funding for community activities and gatherings

Funding is offered to communities and organizations for activities and gatherings for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Canadian Heritage has funded 422 events and gatherings across the country in 2024.

The call for proposals for community-based commemoration activities for 2025 will open in November 2024. For more information, visit the funding web page.

To learn more

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Start your learning journey today.

Source: Government of Canada, City of Toronto

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