National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for all Canadians to commemorate the history and legacy of the residential school system.
It’s a day to honour the resilience, dignity and strength of survivors and intergenerational survivors and remember the children who never came home. It’s a chance to engage and educate people about B.C.’s colonial history and how it has and continues to impact Indigenous communities.
Provincial legislation
On March 9, 2023, the Province of British Columbia passed legislation to make September 30 a statutory holiday.
Enshrining National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in B.C. law gives more people the chance to commemorate the history and legacy of the residential school system on September 30 each year. This was done by creating a new Act called The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Act.
Having a provincial statutory holiday means eligible B.C. workers are able to observe September 30 with a paid day off or receive payment at premium rates if required to work.
More British Columbians will be able to take part in the day such as attending local events, reading, watching and listening to Indigenous-created content, supporting an Indigenous-owned business, talking to family, friends and coworkers about reconciliation, and wearing an orange shirt.
British Columbia joins Canada, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon as jurisdictions that have designated September 30 as a statutory holiday. Continue reading on BC Government Website.
South Island Events
Island Métis Society
Friday, September 29th, 2023
10:00am to 2:00pm
Gym
Everyone Welcome!
For more Information Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/imfcss
South Island Powwow
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
Gates Open: 10:00am
Royal Athletic Park
1014 Caledonia Avenue, Victoria
Everyone Welcome!
For more Information Visit:
https://www.songheesnation.ca/south-island-powwow
Reconcile: Witnessing Candid Truths From Survivors
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
4:00pm to 7:00pm
St. Ann’s Academy
835 Humbolt Street, Victoria
For more Information Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/3440744536177102
Central Island
Orange Day in the Bay
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
11:00am to 5:00pm
Huddlestone Park, Lantzville
General Admission: $22.63
For more Information Visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/orange-day-in-the-bay-tickets-710647976227
Tseshaht First Nation National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of closing the Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS)
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
10:00am – AIRS Student Art Display at Barclay Hotel
11:00am – Walk starts at Barclay Hotel
12:00pm – Celebration begins at Maht Mahs
Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel
4277 Stamp Ave, Port Alberni
Everyone welcome!
For more information visit:
https://tseshaht.com/event/national-day-for-truth-reconciliation/
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Exhibit
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
10:00am to 3:00pm
Ucluelet Secondary School
1450 Peninsula Rd, Ucluelet
For more information visit:
https://mailchi.mp/22ee48f659cb/cbt-newsletter-12780269?fbclid=IwAR1CEEN3-V5DA-TaBrcsgpT1MOUvKf2BVsfK3ygblraKrD8wokIkP046Brg
Upper Island Events
8th Annual Every Child Matters Walk
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
11:00am
Spirit Square
Virtual Events and Learning
A Day to Listen
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund
Major Media Outlets and Radio Stations
For more information visit: https://downiewenjack.ca/a-day-to-listen/#toggle-id-17-closed
Intergenerational Resilience: Sharing Stories From Families Of Residential School Survivors
Monday, October 2nd, 2023
Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund
YouTube and Facebook
Fore more information visit: https://downiewenjack.ca/event/intergenerational-resilience-sharing-stories-from-families-of-residential-school-survivors/
BC Museums Association
Multiple Events and Lots of Information!
For more information visit: https://museum.bc.ca/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/
Check out this fantastic email full of resources from the Federation of Community Social Services of BC:
https://mailchi.mp/fcssbc/resources-for-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation?e=f8f1f15fab