National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is held annually on Monday, September 30. This is a day to intentionally continue learning about the Residential School System and the truthful history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This is a day to mourn the lives of the children who never came home and honour the Survivors, as well as their families and communities.
This day is part of a larger conversation of colonization and systemic inequities, and the recognition of Indigenous resiliency and resistance to colonial tactics should be included as part of this learning.
What can you do? Wear orange on September 30, read books written by Indigenous authors that acknowledge the residential school experience, read books that celebrate Indigenous beauty and brilliance, volunteer with Indigenous organizations and not-for-profits, support Indigenous artists, watch Indigenous films and documentaries, and attend Indigenous events that are open to the public in your community.
All LDSB schools, education centres and sites will lower both the Canadian, Every Child Matters, or Survivor flags to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Monday, September 30, 2024 in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Public commemoration and continuous learning about the ongoing impacts of residential schools are vital actions that we must all take to live in right relations with each other on Indigenous lands. Please refrain from taking and sharing pictures of yourself or others smiling in your orange shirts. You are invited to take pictures of the ways that you are honouring this day within your classrooms or school communities.
We understand that some students, staff, and families may wish to have additional support throughout this week. If you require immediate emotional assistance, you can call the support lines shared below:
- The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to Survivors and those affected by the Residential School System at 1-866-925-4419.
- Individuals impacted by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender, and gender diverse people’s crisis are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.