September 30, 2021 is the first time Canada marks its latest holiday: the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. What is this day and why did it become a federal holiday? For now, the holiday only applies to federal government workers and banks. Provincial and territorial governments get to decide whether to declare this day a . So far, only Manitoba, Nova Scotia and PEI have done so. Individual businesses can also opt to close for the day.
To call the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a holiday is misleading. This day is not intended to be celebrated, but it is meant as a day to honour the survivors of residential schools as well as their families and communities. We talk about survivors because many of the children who were removed from their families and forced to attend residential schools did not make it back home. Even though Indigenous people talked about it for years, many Canadians only became aware of the scope of the atrocities committed when unmarked Indigenous children’s graves were at former residential school sites last summer.
After a report was released by the Truth and Reconciliation committee in 2015, 94 calls to action were announced. Those 94 calls to action are supposed to guide all levels of government, faith groups and communities on the way to reconciliation. The establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was one of these 94 calls to action.
You might have heard the term Orange Shirt Day used in connection with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 1973, Phyllis Webstad was proud to wear a orange shirt for her first day of school only to have it taken away from her and substituted with a school uniform. Her orange shirt became a symbol for everything that was taken away from and done to Indigenous children and their families. One way to recognize and raise awareness about the legacy of the Canadian residential school system is to wear an orange shirt on September 30.
If you would like to educate yourself further about this topic, we have listed a few interesting articles below. Take some time out of your day today, or any other day, to learn about the Canadian residential school system and Truth and Reconciliation Day.
1. “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation should be a solemn day to reflect, says author.” CBC. September 24, 2021. 12 mins. Advanced.
2. “Why Canada is marking the 1st National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this year.” CBC. September 28, 2021. 25 mins. Advanced.
3. “How should you spend National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?” CBC. September 30, 2021. 10 mins. Intermediate/Advanced.
4. “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will not be a statutory holiday in Quebec.” DH News. September 17, 2021. 5 mins. Intermediate.
5. “Every child matters.” IRSHDC/UBC. September 30, 2021. 3 mins. Intermediate.
6. “National Day for Truth and reconciliation.” Government of Canada. September 29, 2021. 6 mins. Intermediate.
7. “What’s open, closed on National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Ottawa.” CityNews. September 29, 2021. 4 mins. Intermediate/Advanced.
8. Listen to: “Phyllis Webstat.” DownieWenjackFund. June 29, 2021. 5 mins. Intermediate/Advanced.
9. Take a free university class at the University of Alberta: Indigenous Canada. 12 modules = Ca. 3 hours per week for 12 weeks. Advanced.