Honoring the past, embracing the future. Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 🧡 #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation
The day pays tribute to the children who never made it back home and the Survivors of residential schools, along with their families and communities. Acknowledging the tragic and painful history, as well as the ongoing impacts of residential schools, is essential for the reconciliation process.
This public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impact of the residential schools, the last of which only closed in 1996, is a vital component of the reconciliation process in Canada.
The new Federal statutory holiday was created in 2021 through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.
Wear orange
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day occur on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of residential schools’ individual, family, and community intergenerational impacts and promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.” The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Thus, on September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
To learn more
This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation explores the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences, and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Start your learning journey today.
Indigenous peoples and cultures
Learn about the unique history, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Indigenous languages
Learn more about the tools and programs in place to help support the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance, and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada.
Indigenous history in Canada
Learn more about the contributions of Indigenous peoples from the Royal Proclamation of 1763 through the world wars to today.
Reconciliation
Learn how the Government of Canada is working to advance reconciliation and renew a nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognizing rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.
Funding – Culture, history, and sport
Get information about financial support to host community-based commemoration activities for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or other support measures for the culture, heritage, and sports sectors.
Residential school missing children – Community support funding
Funding to support families, Survivors, and communities to locate and memorialize children of residential schools across Canada.