National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honours residential school survivors and the children who were never returned home, as well as their families and communities.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada outlined 94 calls to action to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action No. 80 and to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

How the City Commemorates the Day

The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service recognize September 30 as a paid day of leave for staff.

On September 30:

Flags outside Edmonton City Hall are lowered to half-mast
Every Child Matters banners are raised in Churchill Square
The following facilities are lit orange: High Level Bridge, Walterdale Bridge, City Hall, Muttart Conservatory, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton Tower and Rossdale Power Plant
Orange ribbons are placed on City fleet vehicles
City staff are encouraged to wear orange shirts and pins

In partnership with the Edmonton Arts Council, the City’s Civic Events team will host lunchtime programming at Churchill Square, including local musicians and performers from September 24-27
Edmonton City Hall displays the Survivors’ Flag, a symbol of remembrance that honours the lives and communities affected by residential schools
An art-wrapped Edmonton Transit Service bus is on-site at Kinsmen Park to showcase the voice and vision of Indigenous youth
Crosswalk art painted at the intersection of Bearspaw Drive West and 19 Avenue, near Kaskitayo Park
Two traffic control boxes wrapped in Indigenous artwork, one at Parsons Road and 23 Avenue and the other at 23 Avenue and 111 Street

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School commemoration project held in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in the spring of 2013. This day was inspired by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the mission. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has become an opportunity to continue meaningful discussions on the legacy of residential schools and to support the reconciliation process.

September was chosen because it marks the back-to-school season and reflects the time in which Indigenous children were taken from their families to be placed in residential schools.

Wearing Orange on September 30

There are many ways to reflect on Orange Shirt Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Wearing an orange shirt or orange attire on September 30 honours the lives affected by residential schools and demonstrates solidarity with Indigenous community members.

Video Resources

These video resources are suitable for all ages to learn about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day, and the legacy of the residential school system. They were developed in partnership with:

Thank you to all the Elders and Knowledge Holders for sharing their truths and teachings.

Videos

Support Services

If you need more support or information, these services are available 24/7 to help:

National Residential School Crisis Line	1-866-925-4419 (toll-free)
Hope for Wellness Help Line	1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) Support available in English, French, Ojibway, Cree and Inuktitut
Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line	1-877-303-2642 (toll-free)
Canadian Mental Health Association Distress Line	780-482-4357 (HELP)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bill C-5?

Bill C-5 is a legislative change that was introduced and passed to create the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, an annual federal statutory holiday on September 30. The intended purpose is to “respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 80 by creating a holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors and their families and communities and to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada?

The TRC was launched in 2008 as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Goals and activities of the TRC centered around truth-telling of the tragic impacts of residential school experiences and actions needed to guide a reconciliation process in Canada. From 2008 to 2015, the TRC collected historical documents and heard testimony from over 6,500 witnesses impacted by the residential school system. In 2015, the TRC released a 6-volume final report called Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future.

What is the TRC Final Report?

The TRC final report documents the cultural genocide inflicted by Canada’s residential school system and the experiences of approximately 150,000 Indigenous residential school students. The report identifies 94 calls to action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.

Download the Report

Contact Us

Indigenous Relations Office

Community Services
18th Floor, Edmonton Tower
10111 104 Avenue NW
P.O. Box 2359
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7

Email	indigenousrelations@edmonton.ca
Phone	780-944-7602
Fax	780-577-3525