Acknowledging Truth

On June 3, 2021, the Government of Canada amended Bill C-5 to designate the federal statutory holiday entitled the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This enactment is a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80. The Act calls upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, “to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that the public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”.

This day of commemoration will take place each year on September 30th. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this federal statutory day is recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to honour, acknowledge, and reflect.

In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, we ask that you wear orange on September 30 to acknowledge and honour all of those who have survived residential schools and to commemorate all of those who have not. Wearing orange is symbolic to the experience of residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad whose orange shirt was taken away upon her arrival at residential school. It is now representative of the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by generations of Indigenous peoples impacted by the legacy of residential schools.

World Teachers' Day aims to focus on appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.

Indigenous Veterans Day was established in Manitoba in 1994 and has since spread across the country to the other provinces and has been renamed National Indigenous Veterans Day, recognized annually on November 8. 

It’s a day to recognize and acknowledge the many contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous peoples not only to Canada’s war efforts but to its peacekeeping reputation.