National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Thursday, September 30th, 2021, marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours lost Indigenous children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. It is a day for national reflection on the historic legacy and present-day consequences of residential schools, which is critical to reconciliation.
Reconciliation is the process of healing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians and addressing wrongs of the past. This requires building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities, embedding Indigenous needs and perspectives in decision-making, and recognizing Indigenous sovereignty and the inherent right to self-determination.
Efforts at reconciliation must be guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. The TRC was conducted between 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of residential schools with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.
The Commission’s final report provided 94 calls to action. The Calls to Action provide important direction for all levels of government, institutions, and all residents of so-called Canada to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. 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.
Orange Shirt Day
September 30th also coincides with Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, grassroots commemorative day honouring residential school survivors and victims. The day honours experience of Phyllis Webstad, from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, when on her first day of school she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. The orange shirt has become a symbol of remembrance of all Indigenous children who were violently removed from their families to attend residential schools, enduring experiences which the TRC has described as “cultural genocide”.
All Dalhousie students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to wear orange on September 30th.
Community Events held in 2022
City Hall illuminated in orange
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 , Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle St.
Sept. 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) will partner once again with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada on A DAY TO LISTEN 2022. Tune in Sept 30th, 6AM – 6PM local time.
DFA Public Speaker Series: Reconcili-ACTION in Research: Is the Academy Headed in the Right Direction? Dr. Debbie Martin will speak via zoom. - 10 a.m.
Join Mayor Mike Savage for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Flag Raising and Proclamation reading – 10 a.m., Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle St.
Alan Syliboy & the Thundermakers, with Special Guest Morgan Toney - 11am, Millbrook Powwow Grounds
Panel Discussion: Indigenous Perspectives on the Pope’s Apology - 2:00pm (register online)
Book Launch - We Were Not the Savages, 4th Edition. - 2:00pm, KTS room, New Academic Building, University of King's College.
Premier of Mi’kmaq History Month Lightshow, taking place every night throughout October – 7 p.m., old Halifax Memorial Library, 5381 Spring Garden Road
Watch, Read, Listen, Participate
Gord Downie’s Secret Path SECRET PATH - GORD DOWNIE and JEFF LEMIRE
We Were Children (available on Amazon Prime) and Indian Horse (available on Netflix).
Old enough to go, old enough to know: Talking residential schools with kids.
Peace and Friendship Treaties, Atlantic Canada
Racism - Indigenous Perspectives - Senator Murray Sinclair
- National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and think about how you can implement the Calls to Action in your own life
What is Orange Shirt Day – CBC Kids
Out of the Depths: The experiences of Mi'kmaw children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia by Isabelle Knockwood, and other memoirs by survivors.
48 books by Indigenous writers to read to understand residential schools
Two of Dal’s Indigenous leaders share personal reflections on truth and reconciliation.
CBC Massey Lectures, "The Truth about Stories: A Native Narrative"
Visit Indigenous cultural heritage sites to learn about the traditions, culture, and resilience of your local communities.
Visit Peace and Friendship Park in Halifax.
Have conversations with the people in your life about what reconciliation means and why it’s important.