September 30, 2022 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action #80 the Federal Government enacted a holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, their families and communities. It is intended as an opportunity to raise awareness and public commemoration of Indigenous history and the legacy of residential schools.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day to raise awareness of the impacts and inter-generational trauma individual, family and community  experienced and continues to experience, 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.