Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or “Orange Shirt Day,” falls on Monday, September 30, 2024. This day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

What was the residential school system?

Established in the late 19^th century and extending throughout the 20^th, Canada’s residential school system aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, a process that involved forcibly separating them from their families and suppressing their cultural practices, languages and identities. The harm inflicted upon these children was immeasurable, including emotional, physical and psychological suffering. They endured neglect, abuse and even death within the confines of these institutions.

The consequences have extended far beyond the immediate suffering experienced by those who attended these schools. Generational trauma, the pain and emotional scars passed down through families and communities, continues to reverberate through Indigenous communities today. This enduring legacy underscores the urgent need for healing, reconciliation and the ongoing commitment to ensuring that such injustices are never repeated.

Source: First Light

What you can do to support the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Wear an orange shirt: Orange shirts became a recognizable symbol for Truth and Reconciliation after Phyllis Webstad publicly shared her experiences in the residential school system in 2013. Phyllis shared that her grandmother took her into town to buy her a new piece of clothing ahead of her first day of school. She chose a brightly coloured orange shirt. She wore it on her first day of residential school as a reminder of her grandmother, the rest of her family and the community she grew up in. Her orange shirt was immediately confiscated when she arrived at the residential school. No matter how much Phyllis begged for her orange shirt back, it was not returned to her. Click here to listen to Phyllis Webstad’s experience at Residential School and the creation of Orange Shirt Day.

If you do not have an orange shirt, consider purchasing one from any of the websites below, where all proceeds go directly to Indigenous groups and organizations:

• Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle
  • Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle (BACC) is an Indigenous-led incorporated non-profit agency in the Durham Region.
• Nish tees
• Walmart Canada

Educate yourself: Take the time to learn about the history of residential schools in Canada. Understand the depth of the suffering and the long-lasting impact on Indigenous communities. Consider starting your education on the Government of Canada’s Indigenous arts, culture and heritage web page.

Listen and learn from survivors of residential schools: If you have the opportunity, listen to the stories of residential school survivors. Their firsthand accounts provide invaluable insights into Indigenous peoples’ experiences and resilience.

Engage in difficult conversations: Have open and respectful discussions with family and friends about the legacy of residential schools. Encourage dialogue, empathy and understanding.