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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour the lost children, survivors of residential schools, and their families. In recognition of this day, Culture Days highlights activities led by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizers, as well as events that engage with themes of Truth and Reconciliation. These offerings seek to acknowledge our shared histories and promote a better understanding of the harms done and foster a deeper understanding of reconciliation through meaningful engagement.

Untitled, 2ft X 2ft Acrylic on Canvas, Nakoda Artist Torrie Ironstar

  • Browse the “Truth and Reconciliation” and “Indigenous” tags to find events that foster public engagement and create pathways for learning, recognition, and cultural exchange.

  • In the event listing, activities marking September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, will be highlighted with an orange frame.

  • Learn more about event eligibility in our FAQ.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2025

RESOURCES

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].

Starting Points
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
Act
Watch

Gord Downie's "The Secret Path", CBC Arts

“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

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

Support

ImagineNATIVE

  • 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

  • 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."

Art for Aid Project

  • 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."

Canadian Roots Exchange

  • 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."

Legacy of Hope Foundation

  • 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

  • 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
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

Emotional, cultural, and professional support services are also available to Survivors and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-866-414-8111

Quebec: 1-877-583-2965

Ontario: 1-888-301-6426

Manitoba: 1-866-818-3505

Saskatchewan: 1-866-250-1529

Alberta: 1-888-495-6588

British Columbia: 1-877-477-0775

Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: 1-800-464-8106

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.

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