National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) is a time for reflection, understanding, and a renewal of commitments towards healing and building bridges between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the painful history and ongoing impact of residential schools, and it is an opportunity for us to honour the survivors, their families, and their communities.

In the spirit of fostering real change and supporting the journey towards reconciliation, our office will be closed for the day. We encourage our students, staff and our community to utilize this time to participate in local events and acts of learning, listening, and understanding. Engaging with this day aims to remind us of the importance of recognizing the past while actively working to create a more inclusive and respectful future.

National Day for TRC is also Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the experiences of Phyllis Jack Webstad, a survivor of the St. Joseph’s Indian Residential School in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

To commemorate National Day for TRC and Orange Shirt Day, Canadians can wear orange shirts to show solidarity for survivors and open the door to a global conversation on the history of residential schools and intergenerational trauma. The day provides an opportunity to have meaningful discussions about the effects of residential schools and their legacy in Canada.

We also take this moment to reiterate our dedication to the principles of truth and reconciliation, not just today but in our everyday actions and commitments. Our contemplation and actions on this day are steps towards acknowledging the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples, understanding the truth of our shared history, and contributing to the healing and reconciliation process.

Let’s stand together in solidarity, honouring this day with reflection, education, and action toward a better future for all Canadians.

The History of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for TRC coincides with Orange Shirt Day, inspired by the experiences of Phyllis Jack Webstad, a survivor of the St. Joseph’s Indian Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C.

At the 2013 St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion event, Webstad recounted her experiences from her first day at the residential school when she was six years old. Upon arriving at St. Joesph’s, Webstad was stripped of all her clothing, including the new orange shirt her grandmother had given her. The shirt was never returned to her. Orange shirts worn on National Day for TRC now symbolize how the residential school system took away the indigenous identities of its students.

The date of September 30 was chosen as the annual date of recognition because it signifies the time of year in which Indigenous children were historically taken away from their homes and families and brought to residential schools.