Truth and Reconciliation
Each year, September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
All schools are closed on this day.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30th. Please consider wearing orange on that day to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
We encourage all students, staff, and parents/caregivers to explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Visual Elements – Among the various visual elements illustrating Indigenous cultures, the circle is at the centre, which represents being together in spirit of reconciliation. The orange colour represents truth-telling and healing. The pathway represents the road to reconciliation. First Nations, Inuit and Métis are represented by the eagle, narwhal and beaded flower in the image. The stars represent the children who never made it home from residential schools. Download PDF to learn more.
in: Announcements