National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, observed on September 30th, is a time to publicly commemorate and honour Survivors of the residential school system, their families and the children who never made it home. The haunting legacy of residential schools has had lasting intergenerational impacts. We remember the more than 150,000 Indigenous children who were separated from their families and stripped of their cultures, languages and traditions.

As a newcomer-serving organization, we understand our responsibility in the journey toward Reconciliation. Through collective learning and reflection, we remain committed to educating our clients, students and staff on the heritage and traditions of Indigenous peoples and the history of the land we live and work on.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

First recognized in 2013, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led effort, created to build awareness of the harmful impact of residential schools and advocating for the truth that Every Child Matters.

The orange shirt is a representation of Phyllis Webstad’s story. On her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, Phyllis wore a new orange shirt gifted to her by her grandmother. Once at the school, Phyllis’ orange shirt was taken from her and was never seen again. Today, Phyllis is a community leader, author and founder of the Orange Shirt Society. Read more about Phyllis’ story here.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80, the federal government passed Bill C-5 in June 2021, establishing September 30th as a federal statutory day. First observed on September 30th, 2021, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as a day of public commemoration for residential school Survivors, their families and communities.

How You Can Support

There are many ways you can show your support. One way is by wearing an orange shirt on September 30th to make a statement in support of Reconciliation and advocate for the truth that Every Child Matters.

Other ways include attending Indigenous events, supporting Indigenous-owned business, and continuing to learn by reading, listening to podcasts and watching videos.

Below are some resources and local community events in the Hamilton area. By taking the time to learn and reflect on our history and the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, we can work together on the journey of Reconciliation and collective healing.

Resources:

Click the links below to learn more.

Learn

Engage

Read

Watch

Support is Available

Land Acknowledgement

IWC recognizes and acknowledges that we are situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississauga’s. This land is covered by the “Dish with One Spoon” Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation.