What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on Saturday, September 30th, is a significant day in Canada that was established to acknowledge and remember the historical injustices and harm inflicted upon Indigenous peoples, particularly those who suffered under the residential school system. It represents a commitment to healing, learning, and building stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Here are some key aspects of its significance:
1. Acknowledging Indigenous History: The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as a day for all Canadians to recognize and acknowledge the often painful and traumatic history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is an opportunity to learn about and reflect upon the injustices, cultural erasure, and abuse that Indigenous communities endured under colonial policies.
2. Honoring Residential School Survivors and Their Families: They day is a way to pay tribute to the survivors of the residential school system and their families. Many Indigenous individuals and communities continue to grapple with the intergenerational trauma stemming from the residential school experience, and this day allows for collective support and empathy.
3. Promoting Reconciliation: The day emphasizes the importance of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. Reconciliation involves building better relationships, understanding, and respect between these groups, and recognizing the rights, culture, and contributions to Indigenous peoples.
4. Educating the Public: It serves as an educational opportunity to raise awareness about Indigenous history, culture, and issues. Schools, organizations, and communities often engage in activities, workshops, and discussions to promote understanding and empathy.
5. Encouraging Reflection and Action: The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation encourages individuals and institutions to reflect on their own roles in reconciliation and how they can contribute to a more just and equitable society. It’s a call to action to address ongoing issues such as the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, inadequate access to education, and socio-economic disparities.
6. Legal Recognition: In Canada, this day is recognized as a statutory holiday, providing and official platform for individuals and communities to participate in events and activities that promote reconciliation and understanding.
Educate yourself on Truth and Reconciliation
The 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada are a set of recommendations aimed at addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of the Canadian residential school system on Indigenous peoples, particularly survivors and their descendants. The 94 Calls to Action are primarily aimed at various levels of government, institutions, and all Canadians. Specifically, the Calls to Action are directed at:
Federal government
Provincial and territorial governments
Municipal governments
Indigenous governments and organizations
Churches and religious organizations
Educators and educational organizations
Media organizations
Healthcare providers and organizations
Legal professionals and organizations
Non-Indigenous Canadians
These Calls to Action are a central part of the TRC and hold significant importance. For a complete breakdown of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action see the links below:
Children and Youth:
Language and Culture:
Health:
Justice in the legal system:
- Justice (25 to 42)
- Canadian governments and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (43 to 44)
- Equity for Aboriginal people in the legal system (50 to 52)
- Settlement agreement parties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (48 to 49)
History and commemoration:
- Museums and archives (67 to 70)
- Missing children and burial information (71 to 76)
- Commemoration (79 to 83)
Reconciliation:
- Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation (45 to 47)
- National Council for Reconciliation (53 to 56)
- Professional development and training for public servants (57)
- Church apologies and reconciliation (58 to 61)
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (77 to 78)
- Media and reconciliation (84 to 86)
- Sports and reconciliation (87 to 91)
- Business and reconciliation (92)
- Newcomers to Canada (93 to 94)
Get involved in local National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events in your community!
Fort Frances:
- Monday, Sept. 25th
Town of Fort Frances Flag Raising and Proclamation (10:30AM-11AM)
Location: Town Hall, 320 Portage Ave, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: Giishkaandago’ikwe Health Services, Host: FF Town
Flag raising ceremony and teachings (1PM-3PM)
Location: Nanicost Grounds/Gym, 1455 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: Giishkaandago’ikwe Health Services, Host: Nanicost
Receive a T-shirt, orange shirt beading kits (2PM-7PM)
Location: Nanicost Grounds/Gym, 1455 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: Weechi-it-te-win Family Services, Host: Nanicost - Tuesday, Sept. 26th
Tobacco teachings, make your own tobacco pouch (4PM-7PM)
Location: SGEI’s Makerspace, 1452 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: GHAC, Host: SGEI - Wednesday, Sept. 27th
Banner making for the awareness walk; supplies provided (4PM-7PM)
Location: UNFC Outdoor Space, 516 Portage Ave, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: UNFC, Host: UNFC
Sewing Club; Every Child Matters (4PM-7PM) (Registration required)
Location: SGEI’s Makerspace, 1452 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: SGEI, Host: SGEI - Thursday, Sept. 28th
Sweetgrass teachings and hair braiding, supplies provided (4PM-7PM)
Location: Nanicost Gym, 1455 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: GHAC, Host: Nanicost
Truth and Reconciliation Crafts (5PM-7PM) (Registration required)
Location: SGEI’s Makerspace, 1452 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: SGEI, Host: SGEI - Friday, Sept. 29th
Every Child Matters awareness walk followed by fish fry luncheon (10AM-3PM)
Location: Sorting Gap Marina to the Nanicost Grounds Residential School Monument
Mental Health Supports, Agency booths and displays on site.
Organizer: Truth and Reconciliation Committee, Host: Nanicost - Saturday, Sept. 30th
Sunrise ceremony, breakfast, songs, healing and commemoration (7AM-11AM)
Location: Residential School Monument at the Nanicost Grounds, 1455 Idylwild Dr, Fort Frances, ON
Organizer: Agency One, Giishkaandago’ikwe Health Services, Host: Nanicost
Kenora:
- Saturday, Sept. 30th
Orange shirt walk (8:30AM)
Location: CJ grounds located at 237 Airport Rd, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: Grand Council Treaty #3, Host: CJ Grounds
Pow Wow (12PM-4PM)
Location: Whitecap Pavilion, Bernier Dr, Kenora, ON
Organizer: Grand Council Treaty #3, Host: Whitecap Pavilion
Sioux Lookout:
- Monday, Sept. 25th
Sunrise Ceremony (7AM)
Location: Onaman Ziibi, 2195 ON-664, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: Onaman Ziibi
Water Teachings w/ Elder Teri Fiddler (8AM)
Location: Onaman Ziibi, 2195 ON-664, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: Onaman Ziibi
Drumming w/ Dieter Sainnawap (1pm)
Location: Hostel 3, 2 Sturgeon River Road
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: SLFNHA Hostel 3 - Tuesday, Sept. 26th
Medicine Bag Making (9AM-11AM)
Location: Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, 52 King St, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: NGFC
BBQ and Games (12PM-2PM)
SLFNHA Human Resources Office
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: SLFNHA - Wednesday, Sept. 27th
Truth and Reconciliation Remembrance Walk (1PM)
Location: Meet at OPP Station, 62 Queen St
Guest Speakers: Chief Clifford Bull, Deputy Mayor/Councilor Joe Cassidy
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: OPP/SLFNHA - Thursday, Sept. 28th
Beading orange T-shirt pins w/ Joanna Henry (1PM)
Location: Onama Ziibi, 2195 ON-664, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: Onaman Ziibi
SFLNHA Developmental Services TRC Day (12PM-2PM)
Location: 42 King Street, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: SLFNHA - Friday, Sept. 29th
Municipal Flag Raising Ceremony (10AM)
Location: Travel Information Centre, 11 First Ave S, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: Chamber of Commerce/Travel Information Centre
Grab n’ Go Community Lunch (12PM)
Limited quantities. First come, first serve.
Location: NGFC Main Hall, 52 King Street, Sioux Lookout, ON
Organizer: Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, Host: NGFC
Closing Ceremony w/ Sacred Fire (10AM-4PM)
Location: Onaman Ziibi, 2195 ON-644, Sioux Lookout, ON
Guest Speaker: Garnet Angeconb
Organizer: SLFNHA, Host: Onaman Ziibi
Engage in culturally enriched educational programming
Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) is an Indigenous led educational organization that provides high school, post-secondary, training for employment and cultural programming to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Treaty Three area and beyond.
Check out our website to see all that SGEI has to offer and how we continue to provide culturally enriched educational programming for individuals across the lifespan!