National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
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.
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.
There are many ways to commemorate the day including:
Reflect and learn
- Indigenous peoples and culture
- Indigenous languages
- Indigenous history in Canada
- Reconciliation
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Wear orange
Each year to mark this event, our employees wear orange to pay respect and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across Canada. Every Child Matters.
Honour the stories of survivors
Participate in events
- Commemorate through local activities. See a list of events and resources from the City of Kingston.
- Watch a national commemorative gathering broadcast live from Parliament Hill on September 30, 2023. Check your local listings.
Donate
Consider donating to Indigenous organizations leading reconciliation efforts in Canada, such as:
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Reconciliation Canada
- The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
On September 30, wear orange and listen with open ears and hearts to the stories of survivors and their families, hold space for Indigenous community members and remember that reconciliation is a path we walk together.
Join in the conversation online using hashtag #NDTR and #EveryChildMatters.