National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation occurs on September 30. This day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and the resiliency of their communities. We encourage everyone to take the time on this day—and all days—to acknowledge and better understand the history and harms done, explore the vast learning resources available, donate to and support important related causes and organizations, and participate in programs created and led by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizers.
Culture Days has set September 30, 2023 aside to create space exclusively for events organized to commemorate the NDTR, including those aimed at sharing First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit experiences and perspectives and uplifting the creative and cultural expressions of Indigenous people and communities.
In order to ensure that Indigenous voices and participation are central to any event planned for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, there will be additional questions for organizers to answer during the registration process. Read through our FAQ for more information.
This page features events, organizations, resources, and learning opportunities related to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. If you know of resources that would be of benefit to have in this collection, or have any questions or comments, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Reconciliation is an ongoing process rooted in action, both for us as individuals and as members of our communities. It’s time to listen, learn, reflect, support, and use our positions and privileges to act.
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CULTURE DAYS EVENTS - STARTING POINTS - LISTEN - LEARN - ACT - WATCH - SUPPORT - DONATE
STARTING POINTS
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, 2015
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Decolonization - A Resource for Indigenous Solidarity
Truth and Reconciliation Reading List, by ConnectR
Read for Reconciliation, Regina Public Library
Orange Shirt Day and Honoring Residential School Survivors Book List, Saskatoon Public Library
Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization
- A free ebook provides a variety of Indigenous perspectives on the history of colonialism, current Indigenous activism and resistance, and outlines the path toward reconciliation.
Indigenous Cultural Programming Resource, Culture Days
Indigenous Ally Toolkit, Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK
Indigenous Cultural Competency Training, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
LISTEN
Still Here Still Healing – Jade Roberts + on Spotify - Still Here Still Healing
Residential Schools – Historica Britannica + on Spotify - Residential Schools – Historica Britannica
Telling Our Twisted Stories, CBC podcast with host Kaniehti:io Horn
ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᖏᑦ (Inuit Unikkaangit), CBC podcast with host and archivist Mary Powder
Indigenous Canada CBC Music Playlist
LEARN
150 Acts of Reconciliation by Crystal Fraser and Sara Komarnisky, Activehistory.ca
- A compilation of 150 everyday acts, as well as others that are more proactive, that average Canadians can undertake to reflect on Indigenous-settler relationships in new ways.
VSAC Colonialism and Decolonization Resources
Beyond 94 – Interactive website
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Education Resources
Did you live near a Residential School?, Interactive map, CBC
21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
ACT
10 things you can do: Kamloops Residential School, Indigenous Corporate Training
Activities to Engage your Community on Orange Shirt Day, Facing History and Ourselves
Orange Shirt Day and Activities, Classroom PDF, produced by Orange Shirt Day
Sign the petition “Canadian Land Governance Must respect Indigenous Rights”
WATCH
Gord Downie’s “The Secret Path”, CBC Arts
12 Indigenous-themed films to stream, CBC Gem
“We Were Children” documentary, by Tim Wolochatiuk, available on NFB site, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Kanopy
“Indian Horse” feature film, by Stephen Campanelli, also available on CBC Gem, Netflix and Amazon Prime
National Film Board - Residential Schools, a selection of films by Indigenous filmmakers and allies about the tragic impacts of Residential Schools
Phyllis Webstad’s Presentation on Orange Shirt Day, YouTube
What non-Indigenous Canadians need to know, TVO Docs, YouTube
Stolen Children: Residential School survivors speak out, CBC News: The National, YouTube
8th Fire: Wab Kinew’s walk through history, CBC
What is reconciliation? Indigenous Educators have their Say, TVO Docs, YouTube
Namwayut: we are one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada, CBC 2017, YouTube
Separating children from parents: The Sixties Scoop in Canada, CBC News 2018, YouTube
Orange Shirt Day Stories 2020, ConnectR, YouTube
SUPPORT
- Imaginative is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content and a registered charity committed to creating a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures through the presentation of contemporary Indigenous-made media art including film, video, audio, and digital media.
Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, ON
- Woodland Cultural Centre serves to preserve and promote Indigenous history, art, language and culture. “We welcome you to visit and learn with us as we bring the story of the Haudenosaunee people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs.”
Indigenous Business Directory, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
- The Indigenous Business Directory aims to ensure that more Indigenous businesses can participate in the Saskatchewan supply chain and will allow for increased engagement between members of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous-owned businesses in the province.
Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, Whitehorse, YK
- Situated on the banks of the Chu Nínkwän (Yukon River), the Cultural Centre is a place where we celebrate the heritage and contemporary way of life of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. “As our ancestors did for thousands of years, we welcome visitors from near and afar to gather in our cultural home to share stories and experiences.”
Indigenous Curatorial Collective (ICCA)
- An Indigenous run and led non-profit organization that aims to support and connect fellow Indigenous curators, artists, writers, academics, and professionals through various methods of gathering. “The ICCA engages in critical discourses, increases professional opportunities for our members, develops programming, and most importantly works to build reciprocal relationships with Indigenous curators, artists, communities and the institutions we engage with.”
Native Women’s Association of Canada
- The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit.
- True North Aid is dedicated to serving and supporting northern Indigenous communities in Canada through practical humanitarian support. “As a Canadian charity, our mandate is to provide practical humanitarian assistance through initiatives established on eight foundational stones of support. These include self-determination, reconciliation, water, food, health, housing, hope and education.”
- The Art For Aid Project works to support Canadian First Nations, Inuit and Metis art education programs through access to quality art supplies, skills labs, awareness and fundraising efforts. “We work to to connect Indigenous youth to art and knowledge of their culture.”
- CRE builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Canada by facilitating dialogue and strengthening relationships through leadership programs. “We believe in a Canada where youth stand in solidarity to promote respect, understanding, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.”
- The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for more than 19 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System (RSS) and subsequent Sixties Scoop (SS) on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote healing and Reconciliation.
- IndigenARTSY is an Indigenous Women-Led Canadian Not-for-profit Organization which empowers Indigenous women and generates economic development through free programming and sustainable projects. With their website, they aim to maintain a sustainable e-commerce site and promote the transfer and conservation of cultural knowledge; securing the capacity for the next seven generations to retain and cultivate intrinsic cultural connections.
DONATE
Truth and Reconciliation Week Fund, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
ProMetals Every Child Matters, proceeds going to Scholarships for Indigenous Youth
Donate to Indigenous Charities
Crisis Services Hotlines:
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
Land Acknowledgment
The Culture Days network is present and active in all corners of the country, and collaborates with a vast array of people, organizations, and communities across Indigenous territories. Culture Days is committed to working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, seeking to uphold equity for all to participate, and supporting a diversity of art forms and cultural expressions.
The Culture Days National office is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the traditional territory of many peoples and nations including the Anishinabeg, the Haudenosaunee, the Chippewa, and the Wendat peoples. Today, the City of Toronto remains the home and meeting place for many Indigenous people, whose presence and cultures continue to shape and influence communities. We are grateful to live and work on this land.