About the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In June, the federal government announced the creation a new statutory holiday known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be recognized on September 30 each year. This day fulfills the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call-to-Action #80 and will serve as a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning. Since 2013, September 30 has been known as Orange Shirt Day, a day to recognize the tragic history and long-standing effects of residential schools.

Truth and Reconciliation Call-to-Action #80: We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Visit downiewenjack.ca for more information.

Here are some ideas to work into your planning for Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

Host a viewing of DWF’s discussion, September 30: the Inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Wear orange on September 30 to honour Survivors of residential school and those who never returned home
Tune in to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Every Child Matters webinar on September 30
If your company or school is closed September 30, shift Orange Shirt Day activities to the week of September 27 or Secret Path Week (Oct 17-22)
Host a reconciliACTION
Listen to the stories of residential school Survivors from A Day to Listen