National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, observed each year on September 30, is a time to honor the survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and acknowledge the lasting impacts these institutions have had on Indigenous families and communities across Canada.
This day is rooted in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which gathered the voices and stories of more than 6,000 survivors. The TRC’s Calls to Action remind us that reconciliation is not just about the past, but about the future we are building together.
Why It Matters
Residential schools operated in Canada for more than a century with the goal of erasing Indigenous identities, languages, and cultures. Generations of children were taken from their families and communities, leading to deep intergenerational trauma that is still felt today. Truth and Reconciliation invites all people—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to reflect on this history, acknowledge the harm that was done, and commit to healing and change.
How You Can Help
Learn and Share: Take time to read survivor stories, watch documentaries, and attend community events that share truths about residential schools.
Wear Orange: Orange Shirt Day, also recognized on September 30, symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children. Wearing orange is a simple but powerful way to show solidarity.
Support Survivors and Families: Offer compassion, listen with respect, and stand with survivors and their descendants as they continue to heal.
Commit to Action: Reconciliation is ongoing. Support Indigenous-led initiatives, advocate for equity in education, health, and governance, and keep the conversation alive in your family, schools, and workplaces.
Sharing Knowledge and Stories
Reconciliation grows when stories are told and listened to. Every survivor’s story is a thread in the fabric of truth, reminding us of resilience, strength, and the importance of never forgetting. By sharing knowledge and creating space for dialogue, we honor those who endured, those who are healing, and those we lost.
Together, we can walk the path of truth and reconciliation—grounded in respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to a better future.