National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation Week takes place this year from September 26 through September 30, 2022. This five-day national event will continue the important conversations around the truths of the Indigenous treaties, First Nation, M茅tis and Inuit land claims, and the residential school system. 

What is Truth and Reconciliation? 

Between 1831 and 1998, the federal government ran 140 Residential Schools for Indigenous children. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in 2008 in response to requests for recognition and accountability for the harms caused by residential schools.  

In 2015, the TRC , outlining 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation addresses Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered, and its  are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.

September 30, 2022 marks the second  and the 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) will join communities across Canada to honour the First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis residential school victims, survivors and lost children. 

Virtual Sessions for Educators and Students

The  has developed a number of resources and will be hosting virtual sessions for educators and students in Grades 1-12.

The sessions will cover topics such as the truths of the Indigenous treaties, First Nation, M茅tis and Inuit land claims, and the residential schools system.

To register for the sessions, please visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website at .

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 鈥�  September 30, 2021

September 30, 2022 marks the second , and the 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) will join communities across Canada to honour the First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis residential school victims, survivors and lost children. 

As a symbol of our collective grief, on September 30th, we will be lowering the National Flag of Canada to half-mast at our Catholic Education Centre and across all HCDSB schools.  

Wear Orange on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

 is an Indigenous-led grassroots day that commemorates the survivors and lost children of residential schools. 

On September 30th, staff, students and families are encouraged to wear an orange shirt, make an orange shirt pin, or participate in a Walk of Remembrance to raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. 

Orange Shirt Day originates from , a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem鈥檆 Xgat鈥檛em First Nation. In 1973, Phyllis arrived to her first day of school wearing a new orange shirt which ended up being taken from her. The orange shirt is now a symbol of culture and self-esteem lost due to the residential school system.

Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on the

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Community Events

Gidinawendimin ~ We Are All Related

September 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM

Students will gather to hear the truth about the history of residential schools from Survivors. The program will feature the voices of Survivors, alongside Indigenous performers, activists, and Knowledge Keepers from across Turtle Island.

Members of the public are invited to tune into the livestream on September 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM on Facebook:

For more information, check out the event flyer and visit the

Walk with Residential School Survivors

September 30, 2022 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Country Heritage Park

8560 Tremaine Rd., Milton ON. L9T 2X3

Members of our community are invited to join Grandmother’s Voice for a walk with residential school survivors.

For more information, please visit the

Mental Health Support for Indigenous Students

  • Hope for Wellness Help Line () provides immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all indigenous peoples in English, French, Cree, Ojibway or Inuktitut upon request. 1-855-242-3310. 
  • The M茅tis Nation of Ontario (MNO) offers a 24-hour Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line with culturally specific mental health and addiction supports for adults, youth, and families in Ontario in both English and French, please call: 1-877-767-7572
  • Native Child and Family Services of Toronto  
  • Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres  
  • Talk 4 Healing  Helpline providing support, help and resources for Indigenous women in Ontario.
  • Anishnawbe Toronto  provides mental health counseling and traditional counseling that provides support which considers the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs of every individual.
  •  The Aboriginal Service provides outpatient groups and individual counselling to Aboriginal people experiencing substance use and other mental health challenges.
  •  Brighter Days: An Indigenous Wellness Program by Kids Help Phone was developed by Indigenous experts to empower  with skills, tools and resources to support their well-being. 
  • The IRSRHSP has a National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) that provides immediate emotional support for former Indian Residential School students.  Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • CAMH has also created this comprehensive list of supports: 

Begin Your Learning Journey

Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and start your learning journey by exploring the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis peoples by visiting the .

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