The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to honour the Survivors of residential schools, remember those who never returned home, and support their families and communities. It is a day to reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonialism and the legacy of residential schools in Canada. This day calls on all Canadians to listen, learn, and take meaningful action toward reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots initiative to raise awareness of the intergenerational, personal, family, and community impacts of residential schools. It affirms the message that “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, identity, and self-worth experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools.