National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2023 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day, formerly known as Orange Shirt Day, will be held on September 30 to honour residential school survivors, those who never returned home, their families and their communities.

While it is not a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan, the province encourages everyone to take time on this day to listen, learn, and reflect to continue the important journey towards reconciliation. How you choose to mark this day is personal. You may choose to reflect on your experiences, attend local events or learn more about our history.

 

In the Community:

City of Saskatoon – On September 30, the City of Saskatoon will recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. The City of Saskatoon co-chairs Reconciliation Saskatoon, which is a community of organizations, non-profits, businesses, and other partners who have come together to initiate a city-wide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities to engage in the TRC Calls to Action. Visit https://www.reconciliationsaskatoon.com/ for more details.

 

Saskatoon Public and Catholic Schools - To honour the spirit and intent of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students and staff in both school divisions will not attend classes on September 29. Both divisions will observe Orange Shirt Day on September 28.

University of Saskatchewan – The University of Saskatchewan will be observe the statutory holiday on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The university will remain closed this day which coincides with Orange Shirt Day so students, staff, and faculty can reflect on and participate in this integral day.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic - Saskatchewan Polytechnic observes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. Sask Polytech offers all faculty, staff and students a day off to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools and the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

 

Ways to Mark National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Wear orange on September 30 to honour the Indigenous, Métis and Inuit children who survived residential schools and those who never returned home.

Orange Shirt Day was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools. It is also an opportunity for Indigenous peoples, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope.

Some schools and businesses will observe Orange Shirt Day between September 28 and September 30.

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day at www.orangeshirtday.org.  

 

Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation – an event by Reconciliation Saskatoon and City of Saskatoon. The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a pancake breakfast hosted by CUMFI outside their office at 315 Avenue M South. The walk begins at 10:00 a.m. from that location and proceeds down 20^th Street to Victoria Park (Reconciliation Circle at the foot of the “Where Our Paths Cross” installation”). There will be a short program followed by games in the park. The event will end at 12:00 p.m.

More details: https://www.facebook.com/ReconciliationSaskatoon

 

Wanuskewin Heritage Park welcomes you to be present on September 30 and learn about the history, the lasting Residential School Legacy, and how we move forward. They are opening space for Truth and celebration of indigenous cultures in the spirit of reconciliation. Admission will be by donation from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information: https://wanuskewin.com/event/september-30-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/

 

Remai Modern invites visitors to join them on September 30 for Discovery Cinema: Bones of Crows. Presented in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This screening is free and open to the public.

For details: http://remaimodern.org/events-gatherings/discovery-cinema-bones-of-crows/

 

Additional Resources

For moving stories, listen to our sister station 650 CKOM.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society: https://www.irsss.ca; 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-721-0066

Orange Shirt Society: https://orangeshirtday.org/