National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sep 30)


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Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours Survivors of the residential school system and the children who were never returned home, as well as their families and communities. It is an opportunity to commemorate and learn more about the history and legacy of the residential school system and how it continues to impact Indigenous communities.

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis Webstad that is intended to raise awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. It was inspired by her story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, BC. The orange shirt has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future. Wearing an orange shirt on September 30 honours the lives affected by residential schools and demonstrates solidarity with Indigenous communities. 

How the City Commemorates the Day

The Survivors' Flag is displayed at City Hall throughout the week leading up to September 30. The Survivors' Flag is an expression of remembrance and is intended to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. 

The ‘Together’ statue in front of Minoru Centre for Active Living (7191 Granville Avenue) is illuminated in orange throughout the week leading up to September 30.

City staff, including staff from Community Associations and Societies, are encouraged to wear orange shirts and pins to raise awareness of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and participate in various educational opportunities offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and in the community.

How to Get Involved

There many ways to reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and learn about the impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. The following National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day events and programs took place in 2024; check back in August 2025 for this year's events and programs.

Sep 1-30: Richmond Public Library Indigenous Perspectives Collection

The Richmond Public Library’s Indigenous Perspectives Collection will be displayed at all library locations throughout the month of September and community members are encouraged to explore our dedicated Indigenous Resources webpage. Available online from September 1-30, 2024.

Sep 13: Author Monique Gray Smith

Join award winning and best selling author, Monique Gray Smith in welcoming your students back to school and creating classrooms of care

Ages: Children-School Age
Fri, Sep 13, 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: Ironwood Library

Fri, Sep 13, 1:30-2:30pm
Location: Brighouse Library 

Cost: Free, registration required.

Sep 23: An Evening with Jody Wilson-Raybould

Join us for an evening discussion with Jody Wilson-Raybould.  Twenty copies of her book, True Reconciliation, will be given away to lucky participants. The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould is a distinguished author of three books that explore reconciliation and discuss her role as an Indigenous leader.

Ages: Adults
Mon, Sep 23, 7:00-8:00pm, 8:00-8:30pm book signing
Location: Cultural Centre Performance Hall
Cost: Free, registration required. 

Sep 23-27: Educational Webinars - National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Five 50-minute educational webinars on each day leading up to September 30 are being offered virtually.
  • Day 1: Health Related Impacts of the Residential School 
  • Day 2: Allyship and Confronting Unconscious Bias
  • Day 3: Impacts and Addressing Indigenous Identity Fraud
  • Day 4: A Community Perspective of UNDRIP Day 5: How do we address the barriers to reconciliation

For more information and to register visit Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024.


Sep 26: Film Screening of Wilfred Buck with director Lisa Jackson

Join us for a free film screening of Wilfred Buck (2024), an award-winning hybrid documentary feature by director Lisa Jackson, including introductory remarks from the director via Zoom.

Lisa Jackson’s portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations.

Ages: All Ages
Thu, Sep 26, 6:15-8:30pm
Location: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall
Cost: Free, advanced registration is encouraged

Sep 30: Richmond Public Library Family Storytime

We will be featuring picture books written by Indigenous authors and at two Storytimes during the day. Detail about Family Storytime can be found on the Richmond Public Library website.

Ages: All Ages
Mon, Sep 30, 10:30-11:00am & 1:00-1:30pm
Location: Brighouse Library – Kid’s Program Room (Main floor)
Cost: Free, no registration required.


Sep 30: Richmond Public Library Launchpad Display

The works of Indigenous authors will be prominently displayed inside the library and an Indigenous created film which will celebrate Indigenous themes will be showcased on the Launchpad’s large viewing screen throughout the day.

Ages: All Ages
Mon, Sep 30, 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Brighouse Library – Launchpad Media Wall (Main Floor)
Cost: Free, no registration required.

Sep 30: Live broadcast from Parliament Hill in Ottawa

Remembering The Children commemorates the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. On September 30, 2023, a national commemorative gathering will broadcast live from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The live national broadcast will begin at approximately 12:00pm CDT. Check your local listings


Resources

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day through these resources:

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