National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

On September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed in Canada to remember the children who survived the Residential School system and those who never returned home.

Residential Schools were church-run, government-funded institutions established in the 1800s to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society by removing them from their families, isolating them from their communities, and forcing them to abandon their languages, beliefs, and customs.

September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day in honour of Phyllis Webstad, a six-year-old residential school student whose orange shirt was taken from her. Canadians are encouraged to wear orange shirts to commemorate the fact that every child matters.

This year, we have purchased orange shirts from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto with proceeds directed to the Native Northwest Reconciliation Fund to support Indigenous wellness, learning, and culture. The art featured on the shirt is titled Coast Salish by Indigenous artist Simone Diamond.

Show your support by purchasing an Orange Shirt from Native Canadian Centre of Toronto: Your Orange Shirt.