National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Origins and symbolism of Orange Shirt Day

The origins of the day lie in the grassroots movement known as Orange Shirt Day, first established in 2013. The observance was inspired by the personal story of residential school survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad. At a reunion event in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Webstad shared her experience of arriving at a residential school at six years old, where her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her and never returned. This story transformed the orange shirt into a powerful symbol of the cultural identity and personal belongings stripped from Indigenous children by the residential school system. The colour orange itself holds deep significance in many Indigenous cultures, representing sunshine, truth, health, and strength. The annual date of September 30 was chosen as it historically marked the time of year when children were taken from their homes to attend residential schools. The official tagline, 'Every Child Matters,' underscores the core message of the day, affirming the value of every Indigenous child and their cultural heritage.

The residential school system

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation exists to confront the history and legacy of the Indian residential school system, which operated in Canada for more than a century. The explicit goal, as stated by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and others, was to assimilate Indigenous peoples by forcibly removing children from their families, communities, and cultures. Attendance was made compulsory, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was empowered to seize children from reserves. Conditions at the schools were often horrific, with severe underfunding leading to overcrowding, malnutrition, and poor sanitation. Infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis, were rampant. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented the deaths of approximately 3,200 children in the schools, though its chair, Justice Murray Sinclair, has stated the true number may be as high as 6,000. Many children died from disease, fire, accidents, or exposure while trying to run away. Schools frequently failed to notify families of deaths, burying children in unmarked graves. Beyond neglect, many students suffered physical and sexual abuse, and were punished for speaking their own languages, leading to profound and intergenerational trauma.

The path to a national holiday

The movement toward a national day of remembrance grew from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which operated from 2008 to 2015. The discovery of suspected unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021 provided renewed urgency. In response, the federal government fast-tracked legislation, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation received royal assent on June 3, 2021. The legislation made September 30 a statutory holiday for federal government employees and workers in federally-regulated industries. The first official observance took place later that same year, with a message from Queen Elizabeth II encouraging reflection on the painful history. The creation of the holiday represents a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call and a formal commitment to public education and remembrance.

Provincial and territorial recognition

While the federal government established the holiday for its jurisdiction, adoption across provinces and territories has varied. As of March 2023, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a statutory holiday for all workers in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon. In British Columbia, legislation was passed in March 2023 to amend the Employment Standards Act. The Northwest Territories and Yukon passed their own bills in 2022 and 2022 respectively. In Nunavut, the Commissioner gave assent in spring 2022 to make it a holiday for territorial employees. In Prince Edward Island, the amendment passed in November 2021. For provincial government employees in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, the day is also a statutory holiday. In other provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec, the day is observed but is not a general statutory holiday for all workers. This patchwork of recognition reflects the ongoing and sometimes contested process of implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action at all levels of government.

Observance and public engagement

Canadians are encouraged to observe the day through reflection, education, and participation in events. Wearing an orange shirt has become a widespread act of solidarity and awareness. Many communities host memorial walks, public lectures, film screenings, and ceremonies. Educational institutions often hold special assemblies or lessons about residential school history. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation plays a central role by organizing Truth and Reconciliation Week, a series of educational events in the days leading up to September 30. In 2026, for example, the centre hosted daily Lunch and Learn webinars from September 21 to 25. The Government of Canada and other organizations provide downloadable posters and digital images featuring symbols like a feather, narwhal, and flower to represent First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. These resources are shared to help honour the children and promote the day's messages. Media also contributes to observance, with television specials such as 'Every Child Matters: Reconciliation Through Education' airing on CBC and APTN. The day is fundamentally about creating space for learning the difficult truths of Canadian history and considering personal and collective roles in reconciliation.

Controversies and challenges

The establishment and observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation have not been without controversy. In 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced significant criticism for taking a private holiday in Tofino, British Columbia, instead of attending a commemorative event with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, which had invited him. The chief of the nation described his absence as a 'gut punch.' Trudeau later apologized. Furthermore, the day has become a focal point for broader debates about truth and denialism. In 2023, Trudeau noted that denialism was on the rise and emphasized the need to uncover the whole truth. In 2026, the media outlet Rebel News sparked condemnation by selling orange shirts with slogans questioning the evidence of unmarked graves, such as 'Still no proof' and 'Dig Deeper.' Phyllis Webstad and other Indigenous leaders denounced these actions. Rebel News founder Ezra Levant defended the move as an exercise in free expression and questioning official narratives. These incidents highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the public acknowledgment of historical truths and the complex, sometimes painful, national conversation the day is meant to foster.

The role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was a central body established in 2008 as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate was to document the history and lasting impacts of the residential school system. Over seven years, the commission heard from thousands of survivors and their families, gathering statements and records. The report concluded that the residential school system was an instrument of cultural genocide, deliberately aimed at destroying Indigenous cultures and communities by severing the connection between children and their heritage. It detailed how the system caused profound educational, economic, and psychological harm that has been passed down through generations. The commission's archives, housed at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, continue to serve as a crucial resource for education, research, and remembrance.

Apologies and the journey of reconciliation

Formal apologies from institutions involved in the residential school system have been a significant, though staggered, part of the reconciliation journey. In 1986, the United Church of Canada was the first church to apologize, followed by the Anglican Church in 1992. The federal government, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, delivered an apology in 2008. The Roman Catholic Church, which operated a majority of the schools, faced particular calls for an apology. Pope Benedict XVI expressed sorrow in 2009, but a formal papal apology did not come until Pope Francis travelled to Canada in 2022. On Indigenous land at the site of a former residential school, Pope Francis apologized for the deplorable conduct of church members and the Church's role in the system. These apologies, while important steps, are widely viewed as beginnings rather than endpoints. True reconciliation requires ongoing actions to address the Calls to Action, support healing for survivors and intergenerational survivors, and rebuild relationships based on respect, rights, and partnership. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as an annual reminder of this unfinished work and the collective responsibility to advance it.

Questions about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Why do people wear orange on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

People wear orange shirts to honour the story of residential school survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad. On her first day at a residential school as a six-year-old, her new orange shirt was taken from her and never returned. The orange shirt has become a symbol of the stripping away of culture, identity, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children in the schools. Wearing orange is an act of solidarity, a visual commitment to remembering the children, and a way to promote the principle that 'Every Child Matters.' The colour itself also holds cultural significance for many Indigenous peoples, representing truth, healing, and sunshine.

Is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday everywhere in Canada?

No, the holiday's status varies by jurisdiction. It is a statutory holiday for all federal government employees and workers in federally-regulated industries nationwide. As of March 2023, it is also a statutory holiday for all workers in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon. For provincial government employees in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, it is a statutory holiday. In other provinces, such as Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec, it is not a general statutory holiday for all workers, though it may be observed by some employers or government offices. It is important to check local employment standards for specific rules.

What is the difference between Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

Orange Shirt Day is the original grassroots day of observance founded in 2013, focused on awareness and education through the symbolic story of Phyllis Webstad. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is the official name given to the statutory holiday established by the Canadian government in 2021. They are both observed on September 30 and share the same purpose of honouring survivors and remembering the legacy of residential schools. In practice, the names are often used interchangeably, with 'Orange Shirt Day' remaining a common colloquial term for the national holiday. The statutory status provides a formal day for commemoration and reflection.

What happened at residential schools?

Residential schools were government-funded, church-run institutions that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families to assimilate them into Euro-Canadian culture. Children were often prohibited from speaking their languages or practicing their traditions. Conditions were frequently harsh and dangerous, with many schools suffering from severe overcrowding, poor nutrition, and inadequate medical care. This led to high rates of disease and death, with thousands of children dying at the schools. Many students also endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The education provided was often substandard, focusing on manual labour. The system operated for over a century, with the last school closing in 1996, causing deep, intergenerational trauma for Survivors, their families, and communities.

What can I do to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

There are many meaningful ways to observe the day. You can wear an orange shirt to show solidarity and spark conversations. Take time to learn about the history and legacy of residential schools by reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's reports or watching documentaries. Attend a local event such as a memorial walk, ceremony, or lecture. Support Indigenous artists, authors, and organizations. Reflect on your own understanding of Canadian history and consider the Calls to Action. Use educational resources provided by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, especially during Truth and Reconciliation Week. Most importantly, listen to and amplify the voices of Indigenous Survivors and communities, not just on September 30 but throughout the year.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.