September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools as well as the survivors and all of the families and communities impacted.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for the creation of a holiday as one of its ninety-four calls to action. September 30 was previously recognized as Orange Shirt Day before being elevated to a statutory public holiday, in 2021. Public commemoration of the tragic and horrific history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is an important part of the reconciliation process.
