September 30, 2021 marks the first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in which we honour the lost and missing children of residential schools, the families left behind, and the survivors.
Reconciliation is the process of healing the relationship between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Canadians, including the recognition and acknowledgement of Canada’s tragic and painful past, and the ongoing impact this history has on today. Recognizing the inequities that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians in health care is an essential first step.
We are committed to advancing reconciliation, better understanding the root causes of health disparities among Indigenous patients, and addressing racism within the medical profession and the health system.
We are honoring the survivors, their families and communities and we hope you join us in reflecting on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, and what you can do to achieve mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
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The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation responds to Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Calls to Action:
We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Orange Shirt Day – September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day.
“The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.”
Other useful links:
- Learn about the impacts of the Indian Residential School system by watching Residential School survivors testify for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (content warning) and read the names of the children who were known to have died at Residential School (content warning)
- Watch films relating to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirits (content warning).
- Educate yourself about the land you are on and the people whose land it is.