Otherwise known as Orange Shirt Day, September 30 is a Canadian statutory holiday to honour the survivors
of residential schools, and to remember the children who never came home.
of residential schools, and to remember the children who never came home.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission created a list of 94 Calls to Action, which are policy recommendations to the government and to Canadians that would contribute to healing for survivors and their communities. This national day of remembrance fulfills Call to Action #80:
"We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process."
To mark this day, here are some events in Ontario that welcome public participation (events marked with * have a virtual option):
September 29
September 30
October 1
October 2
"We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process."
To mark this day, here are some events in Ontario that welcome public participation (events marked with * have a virtual option):
September 29
- Yellowhead Institute, Toronto: A Call to Action Conversation on Truth and Reconciliation*
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-calls-to-action-conversation-on-truth-and-reconciliation-tickets-406308388327
September 30
- Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie: Weekend for Truth and Reconciliation
https://indigenoustourismontario.ca/events/weekend-for-truth-and-reconciliation/ - Guelph Civic Museum: Conversations in Pipigwan Flute with Rene Mishake, a presentation of Anishinaabe storytelling, poetry, music, and song*
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/c57cb5ad-cfdf-43a4-ae44-c521b565c25f - OCAD University, Toronto: Sunrise Ceremony led by Elder Liz Osawamick
https://www.ocadu.ca/event/sunrise-ceremony - Parliament Hill, Ottawa: Remember Me: A Day Led by Children and Youth, presentations by Indigenous children's groups and guest speaker Autumn Peltier*
https://remember-me-september-30.org/
October 1
- Indigenous Tourism Ontario: Weekend for Truth and Reconciliation, Sault Ste. Marie
https://indigenoustourismontario.ca/events/weekend-for-truth-and-reconciliation/ - Heritage Toronto: Indigenous Dialogues Walking Tour
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/indigenous-dialogues-walking-tour-tickets-350965405977?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
October 2
- Circles for Reconciliation, Toronto: North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, Planting Seeds of Reconciliation
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/planting-seeds-of-reconciliation-tickets-415565215747?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
