September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which also falls on Orange Shirt Day. With the last of over 130 federally run residential schools closing only in the late 90s, the mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples in Canada happened and is happening within many of our lifetimes.
Please join us in taking the time to learn about the histories of Indigenous Peoples and help join us on the path to reconciliation.
Here are a few ways you can respectfully observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at home or at work:
Wear Orange
All Canadians are encouraged to wear orange on September 30 to raise awareness of residential schools and their tragic history.
Orange Shirt Day was created in 2013 and designed to educate people and promote awareness in Canada about the Indian residential school system and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities for more than a century. It’s an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, B.C. in May 2013. The events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
Former student Phyllis Webstad was a spokesperson for the Reunion group and told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl. The colour has been used since then.
Educate
Whether you want to read, listen, watch, or try, start your learning journey today and begin exploring more about the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Truth and Reconciliation Commission gathered from 2008 to 2015, and its library and collections are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.
A collection of Indigenous-made films can also be found on the National Film Board of Canada’s “Indigenous Cinema” page with films dating from present day, back to 1939.
Attend Events
- APTN and the NCTR 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.
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) has partnered with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada on A DAY TO LISTEN 2024. This event leverages the power of radio to inspire people throughout Canada to move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways.
For the Workplace
Here are a few ideas to encourage commitments to Truth and Reconciliation in the workplace:
- Encourage employees to wear orange on September 30
- Encourage employees to share their personal commitments to reconciliation
- Host an information session to help educate employees
- Allow time for employees to learn through various websites, online events, videos and reading materials. (See the sections above for some great starting points.)
- Examine your equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies with an Indigenous lens
- Ensure benefits offerings are supportive of Indigenous employees
Former residential school students can call the National Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 for support and referral services.
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.
Part of fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is ensuring a civil and respectful work environment free of harassment, discrimination or abuse. A workplace violence and harassment policy clearly outlines how violence and harassment is defined, the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties, and reporting investigation and response procedures.
More Resources
Former residential school students can call the National Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 for support and referral services.
Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to the Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counseling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat.
Links
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Teaching resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Education resources from the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation
- Assembly of First Nations
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Métis National Council
- National Association of Friendship Centres
- Government of Canada funding supporting Indigenous peoples and cultures
- Resources and Support for Survivors from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
- Government of Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Landing Page
