National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All of us at Knight Inlet Lodge recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 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.

This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Knight Inlet Lodge is proudly 100% Indigenous Owned and Fully supports the NDTR, Orange Shirt Day and the public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools.

We believe true Reconciliation requires consistent, positive, and informed effort and action by everyone, so please support of our Canadian Indigenous Peoples.

Wear orange

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational 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 all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Across the country, you can find open to public local activities and gatherings organized to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools.

Find an event near you by following hashtag #NDTR on social media.

Illuminating Parliament Hill

To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and to honour the Survivors, their families, and communities, the Peace Tower and the Senate Building will be illuminated in orange throughout the evening of September 30.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action

There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.

To learn more

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Start your learning journey today.

Thanks to www.canada.ca for the information shared here