On September 30, 2021, Canada will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
As one of the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, the federal government, in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples were called upon to establish a statutory holiday to honor Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
In honour of the day the flag outside City Hall will be lowered to half-mast on September 30. We encourage everyone to use this day to learn, listen and reflect on our shared history and its impacts on Indigenous peoples. Here are actions people can take to make the day.
- You can wear an orange shirt to raise awareness about Indian Residential School legacies and histories.
- You can visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
- You can register and attend the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Truth and Reconciliation Week, which is running from September 27 to October 1.
- You can listen to the stories of Indian Residential School Survivors on A Day to Listen.
- You can read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF). You can also read Reclaiming Power and Place (PDF) – The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- You can watch We Were Children (available on Amazon Prime) and Indian Horse (available on Netflix).
- Support Indigenous artists, drummers, singers, dancers, language learners and small business owners.