National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, known in French as Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation, is a federal statutory holiday in Canada observed on September 30. It honors the survivors of the residential school system, those who never returned, and their families.

The day is also known as Orange Shirt Day, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at a residential school in 1973. The orange shirt has become a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008 to document the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system, which operated from the 1870s to 1996.

In 2015, the TRC released its final report with 94 Calls to Action, one of which called for a national day of commemoration. In June 2021, the Canadian Parliament passed legislation establishing September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, making it a federal statutory holiday starting in 2021.

The residential school system forcibly separated over 150,000 Indigenous children from their families, subjecting them to cultural erasure, abuse, and neglect. Thousands of children died in these schools.

Orange Shirt Day: Wearing orange shirts is the most recognized way to observe the day, symbolizing solidarity with residential school survivors.

Educational Events: Schools, organizations, and communities host educational events, discussions, and presentations about residential school history and Indigenous cultures.

Commemorative Gatherings: Indigenous communities and organizations hold ceremonies, vigils, and gatherings to honor survivors and those who did not return.

Moment of Silence: Many organizations observe a moment of silence at 2:15 PM, representing the time when children were often taken from their families.

Learning and Reflection: Canadians are encouraged to learn about the history of residential schools, listen to survivor testimonies, and reflect on the path toward reconciliation.

Supporting Indigenous Businesses: Many choose to support Indigenous-owned businesses and artists on this day.