National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

Since 2013, September 30th has been recognized as Orange Shirt Day in honour of the Survivors of residential schools. Since then, this day has created awareness and meaningful discussion around the painful effects and legacy of residential school Survivors, their families and communities. 

September 30 has also been designated as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and a statutory federal holiday. This day responds to Call to Action 80 and honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools. It is a time for the public to learn about and reflect on the harm and intergenerational trauma resulting from those institutions.   

Today, we encourage you to show your support by wearing orange and by learning more about Truth and Reconciliation. 

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day by visiting the Orange Shirt Society website.

Explore the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s reports and 94 Calls to Action here. 

Below are a few additional resources to learn more: 

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – sign up for Truth and Reconciliation Week webinars. 
• Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. – take the personal pledge of Reconcilation and sign up for the Reconciliation 101 course. 

• University of Alberta, Indigenous Canada. 
• A Day to Listen – hear from Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, elders, musicians, and teachers. 

We hope you will join the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society as we continue to understand our history and how we can move forward towards truth and reconciliation.