September 30 is recognized annually as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This day pays tribute to the children who never made it home from residential schools, along with Survivors, their families, and communities. Publicly acknowledging the tragic and painful history, as well as the continuing effects of residential schools, is an essential part of the reconciliation journey.
The flags at all City of Ottawa sites, including the Survivors’ Flag in front of the Heritage Building and on Marion Dewar Plaza, will be flown at half-mast from sunrise on September 30 to sunrise on October 1.
Illuminations in orange are planned for the Heritage Building at City Hall and the OTTAWA sign in the ByWard Market.Illuminating Parliament Hill
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and to honour the Survivors, their families, and communities, the Peace Tower and the Senate Building will be illuminated in orange throughout the evening of September 30.
Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – National Commemorative Gathering
APTN and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation present Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a 90-minute commemorative gathering. The multilingual event will be broadcast live from Parliament Hill, starting at 3 pm (ET) on APTN and APTN Languages.
One way to support the process of reconciliation is by learning about the past and present experiences of Indigenous peoples, including the injustices faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis through the residential school system. Additionally, here are some other ways to continue deepening your understanding:
- Downtown Ottawa Reconciling History Walking Tours provide opportunities to learn about the role of non-Indigenous peoples and the federal government in residential schools and contemporary injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples.
- The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society is once again partnering with Assembly of Seven Generations and the Beechwood Cemetery to honour Orange Shirt Day, with a variety of activities including a guided walking tour, film screening and action tables. Registration is requested.
- On September 30, Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will present an evening with Tanya Talaga, award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker, whose latest book, The Knowing, retells Canadian history through a personal lens and painstaking research that sheds new light on Indigenous oppression. OPL will provide a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Learning and Action Space at various branches on September 30, and has prepared a special booklist to help you learn more about residential schools and possible paths to reconciliation.
