Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Reflecting on Reconciliation and Acknowledging Indigenous History

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Reflecting on Canada‘s Residential School System

Introduction

This Saturday, September 30th, Canada will observe its third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This federal statutory holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day and serves as a commemoration of residential school survivors and the children who never returned home. It is a day of solemn reflection, as Canadians confront the painful history of the country’s residential school system and its ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities. This article will explore the history of the residential school system, the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and how Canada will mark this significant day.

The History of Canada‘s Residential School System

The residential school system in Canada was established in 1831 and operated until 1996. During this time, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forcibly taken from their families and sent to these schools, where they were subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The system, operated by the federal government in partnership with various churches, aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into the dominant culture by erasing their languages, cultures, and traditions. The physical and psychological impacts of the residential school system continue to affect Indigenous communities to this day.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), which conducted extensive research and interviews with residential school survivors, released a landmark report in 2015. The report described the residential school system as a “systematic, government-sponsored attempt to destroy Aboriginal cultures and languages and to assimilate Aboriginal Peoples.” It categorized the actions as “cultural genocide.” The TRC’s findings shed light on the immense suffering endured by Indigenous children and exposed the truth of these dark chapters in Canadian history.

The Number of Children Who Died in the Residential School System

The exact number of children who died in Canada‘s residential school system remains unknown, as the federal government ceased recording deaths after 1920. In 2021, following the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the TRC documented 4,117 deaths of Indigenous children at residential schools. However, Justice Murray Sinclair, who led the TRC, estimated that the actual number of deaths could be up to 6,000. The lack of accurate records and the continued discovery of unmarked graves underscore the need for ongoing investigations and reconciliation efforts.

The Establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was officially designated as a statutory holiday by the federal government in 2021. This decision was made in response to one of the 94 calls to action outlined by the TRC. The commission recommended the creation of a statutory holiday to honor survivors, their families, and communities and to ensure that the history and legacy of residential schools remain an integral part of the reconciliation process. The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in 2021, followed a summer of reckoning, as the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites brought renewed public attention to the atrocities committed.

Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Communities across Canada will host events and activities to mark the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Many buildings, including the Peace Tower in Ottawa, will be illuminated in orange, the color associated with Orange Shirt Day and the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system. A national gathering will also be broadcast live from Parliament Hill. Truth and Reconciliation Week leading up to the holiday will feature programming in many schools, creating opportunities for education and reflection.

Additionally, Canadians have the opportunity to participate in virtual “lunch and learn” sessions hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. These sessions provide a space for dialogue and learning about the history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system.

In Toronto, flags at City Hall and civic centers will be lowered to half-mast, and the Toronto sign will be lit in orange. The Survivors’ Flag, symbolizing resilience and hope, will also be flown at City Hall, acknowledging the strength and perseverance of residential school survivors.

Conclusion

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as a crucial moment for Canadians to confront the dark legacy of the residential school system. It is a day to remember the lives lost and the suffering endured by Indigenous children, as well as to honor the resilience, strength, and cultural heritage of survivors and their communities. As Canada continues its journey of reconciliation, it is vital for all Canadians to listen, learn, and actively support Indigenous-led efforts for healing and justice. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides an opportunity to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and work towards a future rooted in understanding, respect, and reconciliation.