National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024: Date & Resources
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024 takes place on Monday, September 30th. Each year on September 30th, this federal statutory holiday honours the survivors and victims of Canada’s residential school system. It is a solemn holiday, commemorating the tragedies of the system and its place in the broader injustices against Canada’s Indigenous communities.
What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada?
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a Canadian statutory holiday to honour the victims of the residential school system. The date is intended to remember the experiences that took place in the schools, as well as foster reconciliation and healing.
History of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
For over 100 years in Canada, Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities in order to systematically remove their language, cultural traditions, and practices. The residential school system was a tragic and damaging part of Canada’s history, leading to the abuse, and murder of hundreds of Indigenous children.
The last residential school was closed in 1997, but the damage from this system was significant. This led the government of Canada to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008, to investigate and search for ways forward. Throughout the investigation, more and more tragedies have been revealed, and the system was officially recognized as genocide.
Before the holiday was formalized as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th was known as Orange Shirt Day. This day began in 2013, inspired by Phyllis Webstad's story. When she was six years old, she had a new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother, but it was taken away on her first day at a residential school.
In 2021, the date became an official statutory holiday under the official name of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
How to Commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
Although it is a solemn holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important part of Canadian history that is important to face.
Its goal is to recognize the tragedies that occurred, educate Canadians on this piece of history, and find ways to reconcile. Across Canada, events and gatherings take place to do these things:
Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024 is a commemorative gathering broadcast across channels to “honour Survivors, pay tribute to the children who never made it home from residential schools, and deliver a safe and nurturing environment for reconciliation and healing”.
The National Center for Truth and Reconciliation offers free virtual learning programs during the whole week of September 23 to 27th.
Other commemorative events and educational events take place across Canada during this time, which can typically be found in your city or province. It’s also a good time to learn more about Indigenous history in Canada, and explore the unique history of your local community.