This week and Sept. 30 are a time for remembering the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools, and the families and communities who were impacted. So how can you recognize this week?

Educate – Take the time to learn more about the residential school system in Canada and the devastating impact it had on Indigenous communities across the country. Read the 94 Calls to Action that stemmed from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and consider personal actions you can take to answer these calls. Click here to read more.

Wear Orange – Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the wrongful stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Read more here.

Participate – Get involved in the events taking place in your community. Remember reconciliation is the responsibility of every Canadian no matter how short or long you’ve been in this country. Community events are a great way to come together to show support and hear directly from survivors and their families. Take a look below at some of the events happening this fall, including National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as Fall Feasts. Click on the image to enlarge them for full details.

Please note:

• The “Truth and Reconciliation Walk and Lunch” being hosted by the Northwestern Ontario Metis Child and Family Services is at the EarlyON Centre in Atikokan.
• The “Orange Shirt Day Awareness Walk and Pow wow” is in Fort Frances hosted by Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services and other local agencies. As of Monday, Sept. 19 no additional details have been released. This will be updated if they are.
• The Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre is in Sioux Lookout.