September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, 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.

Wear Orange

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day fall on September 30th. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemoration of the impact of residential schools. This day relates to the experiences of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors.

Learn and Participate

• Treaty 4 Gathering activities and teacher resources
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation events
• Office of the Treaty Commissioner (SK): What is Reconciliation?
• Office of the Treaty Commissioner events
• Information about the Project of Heart
• Listen to children's author Monique Gray Smith talking about residential schools
• Learn Nakota, Dakota, Lakota, Cree, or Saulteaux with free apps in the App Store!