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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30

On September 30, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, and to stand in solidarity with Survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities.

This day invites us—as people of faith—to remember a painful chapter in our country’s history, and to reflect on our role in the work of reconciliation and healing.

Orange Shirt Day

Also on September 30, Orange Shirt Day reminds us of the lasting impact of residential schools and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. The orange shirt is a symbol of how Indigenous children’s culture and dignity were stripped away. We wear orange to say: Every Child Matters.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Between 1867 and 1996, more than 150,000 Indigenous children attended residential schools in Canada—many facing neglect, abuse, and cultural erasure. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008–2015) gathered stories from Survivors and issued 94 Calls to Action to address the harms done.

Call to Action 80 specifically called for a national day to honour Survivors and promote reconciliation. This day is a response to that call.

As a church community, we are invited to:

  • Listen and learn from Indigenous voices

  • Acknowledge the role faith institutions played in the residential school system

  • Commit to the ongoing journey of reconciliation, rooted in truth, justice, and love

Let us wear orange, pray for healing, and walk humbly toward a more just and compassionate future.