National Truth and Reconciliation Day – September 30th
September 30th, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada. Read on to learn why it's significant, plus why (and how) you can get involved.

What is the significance of Truth & Reconciliation Day?

The intent behind Truth & Reconciliation is to honour the countless victims of the residential school system in Canada, the lost children and survivors, families, and communities. Public commemoration, and recognition, of the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is critically important in the reconciliation process, and a focus area of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action

Between 1831 and 1998, Canada operated 139 federally run Indian Residential Schools, with the most recent school closing only 25 years ago. Following the closure of the schools, advocacy for recognition, reparations, and accountability for the lasting legacy of harms caused by these schools took place from its survivors. The results of these advocacy efforts led to:

• apologies by the federal government on behalf of all Canadians.
• the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, including reparations, the introduction of measures to support healing, and commemorative activities.
• the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, mandated to inform and educate Canadians on the tragic history of residential schools. The Commission operated from 2008 to 2015 and provided a platform for individuals directly or indirectly affected by the residential school system with an opportunity to share their experiences.
• the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, a permanent archive for the documents, statements and other materials gathered from the Commission.

One major outcome from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was the release of its final report, detailing 94 Calls to Action. Of these calls, Call to Action 80 was for the introduction of a federal statutory day of commemoration, which the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th addresses.

Status in Canada

The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent. – Government of Canada, 2021

Status in Alberta

Presently, the Government of Alberta does not recognize the holiday across provincially regulated industries. Adrienne South, press secretary for Alberta’s ministry of Indigenous Relations said, “for provincially-regulated industries, the question on a work holiday is a decision for individual employers, unless an employee’s employment contract or collective bargaining agreement specifically grants federally-regulated holidays.” Provinces and territories across Canada are currently divided when it comes to recognizing the new national holiday, wherein six of Canada's provinces and territories — the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island — are observing the federal holiday, and seven others — Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nunavut — are not.

How can you participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th and beyond?

Education

• Listen to programming available on CBC, Gem, CBC Radio, and the Listen App. In addition, a broadcast special, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, will air at 8pm MST, followed by a new original documentary from CBC Manitoba, We Know the Truth: Stories to Inspire Reconciliation, on CBC. CBC Arts has created a list of more of CBC's content for the day, which you can see here.
• Read into the history of survivors and their families through National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) archives.
• Check out books by indigenous authors about the residential school system. Cree author David A. Robertson has created a list of 48 books by Indigenous writers worth checking out.
• Become informed on the 94 Calls to Action and how you can make change in your community.

Action

• Participate in online events sponsored by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR).
• Wear Orange to honour and raise awareness of the impacts of the residential school system.
• Engage with local events, including the CIFRS Truth and Reconciliation Indigenous Art Exhibit.
• Register for the University of Alberta’s FREE Indigenous Canada course, which explores indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.

Orange Shirt Day – September 30th

Coinciding with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day exists to encourage Canadians to honour residential school victims and survivors and raise awareness of its legacy and impact on indigenous people.
 

The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.

The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Post pictures of your event or activity, share your story, or simply enjoy others sharing theirs. – Taken from www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us