September 30 2022 marks the 2nd National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. On September 30, Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
Read the Province of Manitoba’s news release on National Truth and Reconciliation Day 2022.
In observance of this day, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce office will be closed.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action
There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1831 and 1998. The last school closed less than 25 years ago. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harms caused. Their efforts culminated in:
- the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
- apologies by the government
- the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.
Mental health supports available
Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.
Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat.
Events and Programming Taking Place in Manitoba
Children’s Museum
As a member of the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord, the Children’s Museum stands with Indigenous communities and wishes to honour Survivors and the children who never made it home. Join us with FREE(*) general admission on a journey of education and reflection with Louis Riel Institute for a Métis Moccasin workshop and Métis Paper Vest workshop on September 30 from 11:00AM – 3:00PM. Guests of all ages are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to help raise awareness of the impacts of residential schools and in remembrance – every child matters. Learn more.
Winnipeg Arts Gallery – WAG-Qaumajuq
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, WAG-Qaumajuq in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, will be hosting a day of special programming. Join us for a National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation one hour national broadcast, followed by the launch of Lessons in Legitimacy: Colonialism, Capitalism, and the Rise of State Schooling in British Columbia with Dr. Sean Carleton, and take part in a public discussion on what you need to know about the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools. Learn more.
Orange Shirt Days @ The Manitoba Museum
To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Manitoba Museum is pleased to provide complimentary admission to the Museum Galleries, Planetarium, and Science Gallery from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2. No tickets required. Special programming includes videos from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, a self-guided tour through the Museum Galleries to discover many exhibits relevant to the history of Indian Residential Schools and the TRC Calls to Action, and our Manitoba Cares station where we encourage you to share your thoughts and make your own commitment to take action for Reconciliation. Learn more.
2nd Annual Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow
Friday, September 30th, 2022, Wa-Say Healing Centre invites you to a Pipe Ceremony at 10:00AM at The Forks Oodena Circle followed by the Survivors Walk, lead by The Oyate Techa Riders at 11:00am.
The walk will end at the RBC Convention Centre with Grand Entry at 1PM. Learn more.
35-Hours of Programming on APTN
APTN will broadcast 35 hours of special programming to honour residential, day and boarding school survivors as well as their families and the children who never made it home. This special programming will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2022. It will be available on all APTN channels, and later, on APTN lumi, for all audiences to enjoy. The lineup features a range of educational and thought-provoking series and documentaries about the history and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.
In partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), APTN is producing a one-hour live broadcast and national commemorative gathering called Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will take place at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa. The one-of-a-kind event will be led by children and residential school survivors and will air simultaneously across all APTN channels. Learn more.
Manitoba Runners Association
The Manitoba Runners Association is holding a reconciliation half-marathon run at 8 a.m. near the former Birtle Residential School in Birtle, about 310 km west of Winnipeg. Learn more.
Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
An Every Child Matters youth event will be held at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre at 445 King St. from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will include a sacred fire, elder teachings, a feast, and a ceremony to unveil a memorial project. Learn more.