Remember, Listen, and Take Action
September 30, 2026, marks the sixth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). Established in 2021, this day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as Survivors, their families, and their communities.
It coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which grew out of an Indigenous-led awareness movement. The orange shirt recalls the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken away from her when she arrived at residential school. Her experience has become a powerful symbol of the attempts to erase the identity, culture, and family connections of generations of Indigenous children.
A National Gathering to Remember the Children
An important moment of the day will take place at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, CBC/Radio-Canada, and the Algonquin Nation are inviting people across the country to a 90-minute multilingual commemorative gathering.
Entitled Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the event will be broadcast live across Canada. This gathering is intended as a time for remembrance and unity, as well as a source of hope as the journey toward reconciliation continues.
The residential school system, which operated in Canada for more than a century, had a profound impact on Indigenous Peoples. Acknowledging this history and its ongoing consequences is an essential step in the reconciliation process.
From Commemoration to Commitment
How can we participate in this journey? There is no single action, but rather several complementary ways to become involved.
Remember. Wearing an orange shirt, observing a moment of silence, lighting a candle, or participating in a commemorative walk are ways to honour the children, Survivors, and their families.
Listen and learn. APTN programming, documentaries selected by the National Film Board of Canada, and works by Indigenous authors provide opportunities to hear different voices and experiences directly.
Take action. Supporting an Indigenous organization or an organization that assists Survivors—and, above all, learning about the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada—can help deepen reflection and engagement beyond September 30.
Continuing the Journey Toward Reconciliation
This journey resonates with the values of justice, education, listening, and respect for human dignity upheld by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM). Above all, it reminds us that reconciliation cannot be limited to a single day. It requires listening to Indigenous voices, developing a deeper understanding of history, and transforming that understanding into lasting action.
To continue the reflection, explore resources from APTN News on residential schools and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.