Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 marks the fourth 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 in the Ottawa area or online, here are some suggestions:

Beechwood National Memorial Center

The Beechwood National Memorial Center’s Sacred Space will be screening the short film Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past. The event also includes a Reconciliation Tour and an opportunity to make the Calls to Action a reality with action tables. 

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Museum of History

The Museum of History is open all day free of charge. In the evening, there will be the inauguration of the Indian Residential School Memorial Monument.

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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a series of online Lunch and Learns from September 23 - 27.

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Digital Arts Resource Centre

Digital Arts Resource Centre is presenting looping screenings of two films from September 30 to October 4: SGaawaay K’uuna (Edge of The Knife) and My Indian Name.  

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Ottawa Public Libraries

Ottawa Public Libraries will provide a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Learning and Action Space at several branches on Monday, September 30, from 10am to 5pm.

Participating branches will offer learning resources and activities such as a heart garden, National Film Board short films, books by Indigenous authors, and more. 

Learn more

For the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, Inter Pares is inviting waged workers who have the capacity to do so to donate one day’s wages to Indigenous organizations or individuals that are promoting Indigenous rights and wellbeing.

This year, Inter Pares staff are donating to five organizations. Learn more.