September 30, 2024 marks Canada’s 4th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday devoted to honouring survivors of residential schools, as well as the children who will never return to their families and communities.
The Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice seeks to honour this public commemoration of such a tragic and painful colonial reality of our national history through personal and communal reflection on the continuing impacts of residential schools. It is only through such reflections that truth and reconciliation can be gradually achieved.
Activities, gatherings, and educational opportunities are taking place across the country, as well as online, to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools. Below you can find a sample listing:
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024 - September 20 to 27
https://trw-svr.nctr.ca - British Columbia
B.C. Event Listings: Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/event_listings_ndtr_and_osd_2024.pdf - Calgary
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Calgary
https://enoughforall.ca/articles/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-in-calga - Edmonton
Fort Edmonton - Truth & Reconciliation Day
https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/events/featured-events/truth-reconciliation-day12 Ways to Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation In andAround Edmonton
https://curiocity.com/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-edmonton-2024/ - Saskatchewan
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Remembering and Honouring Residential School Survivors and Their Families
https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenization-reconciliation/national-day-truth-reconciliation.php - Saskatoon
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
https://wanuskewin.com/event/september-30-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/ - Winnipeg
Southern Chief’s Organization
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day Events 2024
https://scoinc.mb.ca/orange-shirt-day-events-2024/University of Manitoba
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events and Engagement Opportunities
https://news.umanitoba.ca/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-events-and-engagement-opportunities/ - Ottawa
Canadian Museum of History: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
https://www.historymuseum.ca/truthandreconciliationday/ - Toronto
Indigenous Legacy Gathering at Nathan Philips Square (September 24 to 27th, 2024)
https://www.councilfire.ca/indigenous-legacy-gathering-september-27-30-2024/ - Montreal
Concordia University: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
https://www.concordia.ca/indigenous/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation.html
Other resource:
Survivor’s Flag: Symbolism and Significance
https://nctr.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag/