Why September 30th is an important date in Canada

September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (external link)  across our country. It honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, survivors, as well as their families and communities.

As an international student coming to Canada, you may not know about the history that our country has regarding truth and reconciliation. As a country, we are working to better recognize and educate our students on the impacts that the residential school system had on our history. 

Throughout this week, community members across the country recognize our history and the legacy that residential schools left on our country. Many recognize Orange Shirt Day on September 30th, which is an Indigenous-led commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the inter-generational impacts of residential schools. Orange Shirt Day takes place annually and is a day of recognition and awareness-raising about residential schools. Community members are encouraged to wear orange to show their support.

University community members come together every year in the spirit of truth-telling and reconciliation and to provide space for conversations on the impact of residential schools and their legacy in our community.

Understand what we are doing as a university to recognize September 30th here.

Read more about the need for Indigenous education from our Executive Director here. (external link)