National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2023
Good morning,
Today I would like to draw our attention to September 30th, which commemorates the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day to acknowledge and reflect on the legacy of residential schools, and truth and reconciliation more broadly. It is a day to honour the strength and resilience of survivors and remember the lives of the children who never returned home.
Orange Shirt Day also takes place on September 30th, it was founded by Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor. On Phyllis’ first day at residential school, she was stripped of her clothes, including her new orange shirt bought by her grandmother. The orange shirt now represents the loss of freedom, culture and self-esteem suffered by residential school survivors. I encourage all of you to join me in wearing an orange shirt to work on Friday, September 29th and on September 30th in support of “Every Child Matters,” honouring the thousands of survivors, their families, communities and those who did not return home.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect and engage in learning about the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system and the importance of truth and reconciliation. There are many ways you can observe the day and engage in learning and reflection and I encourage you to explore how you can take part.
Best Regards,
Jay Rodgers
Chief Executive officer
Links: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation