TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY

September 30, every year, Canadians observe Truth and Reconciliation Day as a federal statutory holiday to honor the sufferings of the indigenous people and mend the historical scars left by the residential school system on them. It is a day set aside to commemorate and celebrate the lives of indigenous peoples who overcame the mistreatment and injustices of the Indian residential school system.

On this day, Canadians take part in activities and events that encourage reconciliation. The day is a constant reminder of the continuous efforts required to promote mutual respect, understanding, and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians.

On September 30, Canadians also observe Orange Shirt Day, a campaign honoring the kids taken away from their homes and communities to attend these schools. As part of this, several activities get organized nationwide, including wellness and counseling programs for former residential school students. Also, you will see many buildings lit up in orange.

Orange stands for solidarity, so Canadians wear orange shirts on this day, participate in memorial activities, and support initiatives sponsored by indigenous peoples to preserve their language, culture, and traditions. The day is a national holiday for federal employees and some provinces and territories.