Canadians Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30

OTTAWA, Canada — On September 30, 2025, Canadians across the country will wear orange shirts as they gather to reflect on the traumatic legacy of Indigenous residential schools. This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, formally recognized as a national holiday since 2021, highlights the painful history and its ongoing impact on communities.

The day’s origins trace back to 1973, when a young Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation entered St. Joseph Mission residential school in her new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother. Immediately, that shirt was taken from her, symbolizing the effort to erase Indigenous identities. Phyllis’s story led to the creation of Orange Shirt Day in 2013, promoting awareness of the residential schools’ legacy.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), established in 2008, documented the harrowing experiences of these schools over seven years. Their 2015 Final Report stated that the Canadian government’s attempts to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children amounted to cultural genocide. The revelations have painfully resonated across Canada, especially after the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021.

For many Indigenous Canadians, this day is not just a memorial but also a moment for healing. Canadian artist Jenny Kay Dupuis, an Anishinaabe member of Nipissing First Nation, designed this year’s official Orange Shirt Day T-shirt, titled “Hearts in Harmony.” It features imagery representing resilience and interconnectedness.

“We’re listening to those voices of the residential school survivors,” Dupuis said, as she reflected on her grandmother’s experiences. Other Indigenous artists, such as Brooklyn Rudolph, are also contributing to the movement. Rudolph’s shirt design for Walmart Canada raises funds for organizations supporting residential school survivors.

The movement has prompted widespread recognition, with Ottawa declaring September 30 a statutory holiday for federal workers. Corporate partnerships with Indigenous artists help to amplify these crucial messages, enabling communities to take action toward healing.

As we mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is also essential to remember that similar histories exist in the United States. Between 1860 and 1978, over 350 Indian boarding schools operated across the nation, aiming to assimilate Native children and erase their cultures.

The legacy of these schools continues to impact Indigenous communities today, presenting challenges such as poverty and educational disparities. Yet, Indigenous peoples are reviving traditions, pursuing storytelling, and reclaiming their narratives, contributing to collective healing.

As this National Day approaches, the orange shirts worn symbolize both loss and resilience, serving as a call for justice and remembrance. Each step taken today is a step toward a future where every child truly matters.