September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It’s a day to honour the children who never came home from residential schools and the survivors. It’s a day to acknowledge and learn from the history of this country now known as Canada, so we can work for a more just present.
If you’re looking for a way to mark the occasion, here are some events to attend online and in person.
Find an event
Online
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is hosting a series of online Lunch and Learns from September 21 to 25. These conversations are open to the public, feature expert speakers and include simultaneous interpretation in English, French and ASL.
The NCTR will also host a commemorative gathering on Parliament Hill on September 30 at 12:00 p.m. that will be livestreamed and accessible to online viewers.
In Ottawa/Gatineau
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will host a commemorative gathering on Parliament Hill on September 30 at 12:00 p.m.
The Beechwood National Memorial Centre’s will host an afternoon of activities on September 30, including a Reconciliation Tour at Beechwood Cemetery, a documentary screening of the CBC’s The Story of a National Crime, and a commemorative ceremony that will begin at 2:00pm.
The Museum of History is open all day free of charge. We encourage you to visit the Indian Residential School Memorial Monument while there.
Ottawa Public Libraries will provide a series of events leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at several branches, including a Truth Film Series, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, and a documentary screening of WaaPaKe.
On September 26 and 27, Rideau Hall will host a Doors Open weekend with reconciliation-oriented interactive activities.
On September 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rideau Hall will host a Sacred Fire for the community.
In Montreal
On September 30 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal will be hosting the Every Child Matters march and a day of action. The gathering location is at Westmount Park (Ste-Catherine & Melville).
On September 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The McCord Stewart Museum Montreal will host a workshop on Understanding the Lesser-Known Impacts of the Indian Act as part of their permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience.
On September 30, take action for truth and reconciliation.
Deepen your understanding of Indigenous histories
September 30 is also a time to deepen our understanding of Indigenous histories and perspectives and to reflect on the legacies of residential schools. Have a look at the following resources.
Interactive learning
Use the Native-Land.ca interactive map to discover the territories, languages, and treaties linked to your location, and gain perspective on Indigenous presence and sovereignty.
Explore the Four Directions Teachings interactive and narrated resource for learning about Indigenous knowledge and philosophy from five diverse First Nations in Canada.
Enroll in the Indigenous Canada course by the University of Alberta; an accessible, free program exploring Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
Register for the Yellowhead Institute’s Land Bank open access online course about the ways Canada dispossesses Indigenous people of the land – and the strategies communities are using to get it back.
Storytelling and podcasts
Experience personal narratives in urban settings through Indigenous Cities, a digital project from the National Arts Centre.
Listen to the Unrooted podcast to hear stories and insights from Indigenous voices, shared by The Indigenous Foundation.
Listen to the Kuper Island podcast to hear the history and legacy of the Kuper Island Residential School through the stories of four children.
Listen to the Taken podcast in English or Cree, that sheds light on the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada.
Articles and video resources
Explore practical strategies and tools with The Decolonial Toolbox from Mikana offering materials for reflection and action.
For guidance on discussing residential schools with children: How to talk to kids about residential schools (CBC)
Watch educational videos from the Orange Shirt Society, including Phyllis’ Story recounting the origins of Orange Shirt Day.
View Stolen Children, a moving video featuring residential school survivors sharing their experiences with CBC.
Take a virtual tour of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School hosted by the Woodland Cultural Centre for a firsthand perspective on lived history.
