National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Resources
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The 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.
Wear Orange
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
On September 30, we encourage everyone to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
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Resources
Paddling on Both Sides by Blake Angeconeb & Buffy Sainte-Marie
Blake Angeconeb is an Anishinaabe woodlands artist who hails from Treaty 3 territory. His primary practice involves acrylics and multimedia on canvas, blending the school of woodlands art with pop culture references. He is part of the Caribou Clan and a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation. In this piece, ‘Paddling on Both Sides’ by Blake Angeconeb & Buffy Sainte-Marie, Buffy Sainte-Marie sits in a canoe with two Indigenous youth and tells them about elements of sport invented by Indigenous Peoples of this continent. To move forward on the path toward reconciliation, we need strong paddling on both sides – the learning and acceptance of the true history on one side, and a focus on uplifting Indigenous voices, history, culture, and achievements on the other. Learn more about the Reconciliation Begins with You video series at www.downiewenjack.ca/reconciliation-begins-with-you.
Finding Our Way Forward, Together | Buffy Sainte-Marie & Blake Angeconeb
“Finding Our Way Forward, Together” is an animated short by legendary Indigenous musician, activist, and Academy Award winner, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Anishinaabe visual artist Blake Angeconeb. Directed and animated by Justin Stephenson (Gord Downie’s “Secret Path”), the film tells the true story of the first map of the land we now call “Canada”. This film is a follow-up to “Paddling on Both Sides: Balancing Truth, Tragedy and Triumph” by Buffy and Blake. In a time where truth is being revealed about residential schools in Canada, these shorts aim to strike a balance with Indigenous history that celebrates the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples. Both pieces are a part of a larger video series, Reconciliation Begins with You (RBWY). The series aims to raise awareness of the importance of reconciliation, showcase young Indigenous artists, and help everyone in Canada understand their personal responsibility on our collective journey toward reconciliation.
CBC Kids Book Club | With Our Orange Hearts
Residential school survivor and founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad, shares her book for preschoolers, With Our Orange Hearts, in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Learn More
Check out these great resources to learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Government of Ontario – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Government of Canada – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Events
Learn about events in our region here.
Need Support?
Need Support? Contact the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419