National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation Week takes place this year from September 25 through September 30, 2023.

This week, and throughout the year, we grieve alongside the Indigenous members in our community and across our nation. We also recognize the land that many of us work and live on has a long and complex history of injustice towards Indigenous peoples.

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.

System-wide Observance ~ National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

September 30th marks , a day set aside to honour the First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis residential school victims and Survivors. It is also , an Indigenous-led grassroots initiative to raise awareness and inspire actions to support reconciliation.

As September 30th falls on a Saturday this year, the 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) will hold a system-wide observance, commemorating National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Friday, September 29th. 

Wear Orange on September 29th

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

On Friday, September 29th, 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 

Raising the Survivors’ Flag

The Survivors鈥� Flag

Last year, as a symbol of our collective grief, we lowered the Canadian flag to half-mast at each of our schools and Board Office. This year, as the next step along the journey towards meaningful reconciliation, we will be raising the Survivors鈥� Flag at all HCDSB schools and our Board Office on Friday, September 29th and it will remain raised throughout the weekend. 

To learn more about the Survivors鈥� Flag, 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.

Begin Your Learning Journey

Learning, unlearning and re-learning are essential components of the truth, healing and reconciliation journey.

  • For a list of learning sessions offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, . 
  • The Government of Canada website includes a number of learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis across Canada.  

Learn More