National Day For Truth And Reconciliation

Today we come together to acknowledge the tragic history and long-lasting effects of residential schools. This is a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning. We invite you to wear an orange shirt as a respectful way to honour the lost Indigenous children and survivors, their families and communities.

Gitxsan/Cree artist from Northern BC, Michelle Stoney, has given us permission to use her feather design. To her, the feather represents cleansing, as it is traditionally used in smudging. The face at the bottom is not an animal, this is how she draws people and you can see the addition of long flowing hair, which children were forced to cut while attending residential schools.

The importance of education and reflection

Sept 30 is not your conventional federal statutory holiday. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to engage with each other to reflect upon the impact, legacy and intergenerational effects of Residential Schools.  The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

Please take the time to wear an Orange Shirt, have a moment of reflection and let us all move forward together towards reconciliation. 

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and every day after, let’s all show solidarity with Indigenous peoples.

* The Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of the ongoing impacts of the Residential school system, 1-866-925-4419.