September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day).
It is a day to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, and to stand with Survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities who continue to live with the painful legacy of these institutions.
Residential schools, run by the government and churches, were created to forcibly remove Indigenous children from their families in an attempt to erase their languages, cultures, and identities. The loss, abuse, and separation caused lasting harm that continues to affect families and communities across generations. This history is not far behind us — the effects are still felt today.
As federal employees, many PSAC members will have September 30 as a day off from work. We ask that you use this time as it was intended: as a National Day of Reflection. This is not simply another holiday — it is a chance to deepen our understanding of the truths of residential schools, to acknowledge the resilience of Survivors, and to commit to the ongoing work of reconciliation.
Reflection can take many forms: learning more about the history, listening to Survivor stories, attending a community event, or simply taking time to think about what reconciliation means in your own life and work. Every action, no matter how small, matters.
Here are some opportunities you may wish to consider on September 30:
- National Commemorative Gathering on Parliament Hill at 3 p.m. (also broadcast live on APTN) Parliament Hill – Truth and Reconciliation Week
- Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Parliament Hill, 3 p.m.
- Volunteer for the National Ceremony – Volunteer – Truth and Reconciliation Week
- Beechwood National Memorial Centre – 45-minute Reconciliation Tour and ceremony at 2:00 p.m. The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at Beechwood Cemetery | Beechwood
- Canadian Museum of History – Ceremony at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. screening of Return to the Falls: A Journey of Resilience and Survival National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Canadian Museum of History
On September 30, as PSAC members, let us commit to more than remembrance. Let us commit to truth, to understanding, and to walking together on the path toward reconciliation.