National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, originally and still colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day, is a Canadian holiday to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

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, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

For more ways to engage in this important day of reflection, check out a community event near you or watch the live National Broadcast. Links to event information and how to watch are listed below:

LOCAL (Metro Vancouver) 

If you are looking for a way to commemorate and recognize this day of active listening, and  action, here are a few weekend events in which you can participate around Metro Vancouver. 

(Sept 28) National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Fort Langley 

(Sept 29) National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Maple Ridge 

(Sept 29) Culture Club at MOA – Cedar Hearts for Reconciliation 

(Sept 29) Chilliwack Market Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

(Sept 29) National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Film Series at Polygon Gallery 

September 30, 2024: 

• Place des Arts: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

• Truth and Reconciliation Day: NFB Film Screenings 

• Create and Connect: Truth and Reconciliation Day at MONOVA 

• Community Gathering at Trout Lake – Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society 

• Noons Creek Hatchery Reconciliation Event in Port Moody 

• Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day (UBC) 

• Free Admission at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre 

• National Day for Truth & Reconciliation at the SLCC 

• Walk for Truth and Reconciliation (Tsawwassen) 

• Honouring Residential School Thrivers and Survivors – Stó:lō Nation 

• Learning Opportunity: Downstream Where the Waters Mix Exhibition 

• National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Teaching Pow Wow Queen’s Park 

 NATIONAL 

On Monday, September 30, you can also view a live broadcast from Parliament Hill in Ottawa of Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which will honour residential school Survivors, pay tribute to the children who never made it home and deliver a safe and nurturing environment for reconciliation and healing. 

The 90-minute live event will be presented in English, French, and Plains Cree and will take place on Parliament Hill. It will be available live on APTN, APTN Languages, aptnnews.ca, CBC TV, CBC News Network, CBC Gem, CBC News Explore, cbcnews.ca, the CBC News app, the CBC NewsYouTube channel, ICI TÉLÉ, ICI TOU.TV, Radio-Canada.ca, and Espaces autochtones, and made available to all Canadian broadcasters to ensure that audiences across the country can tune in and join on the collective journey towards reconciliation.