National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Today is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In a spirit of humility and with grief for the sufferings of First Nations and Indigenous peoples in this country, we offer prayers for reconciliation and healing.

You can find the video HERE.

You can find the texts we are using HERE.

Crisis counseling is available for First Nations and Indigenous people. Call if you are feeling overwhelmed by the National Truth & Reconciliation Day events.

Pacific Association of First Nations Women: 1-604-872-3311

Indian Residential School Survivors and Family Hotline: 1-866-925-4419

Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266

September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, 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. Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.