National Truth and Reconciliation Week leads up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30. This is a time to honour the children who never returned home, residential school Survivors, and the families and communities affected by the residential school system. Here are some meaningful ways you can recognize the week.

Educate – Take time to learn about the residential school system in Canada and its devastating, lasting impacts on Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action and consider what personal actions you can take to support reconciliation. Read more HERE.

Wear Orange – The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day both take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement that raises awareness of the ongoing impacts of residential schools and affirms that Every Child Matters. The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children through the residential school system. Read more HERE.

FIREFLY staff are encouraged to wear their newly designed orange T-shirt, produced by Ungali Clothing Co., a 100% Canadian company, when attending community events across the region.

Below, we are sharing events across Northwestern Ontario that honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We will continue adding events, so please check back often. If you have an event to add, comment below or email [email protected]. 

Please click on each image to view the full event poster.