There is no relationship more important to Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples. Our Government continues to explore options for the establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and remains committed to implementing Call to Action 80, which calls for the establishment of a statutory holiday.  In keeping with the spirit of these calls to action, Budget 2019 provided $7 million, over two years, to enable communities to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. September 30th is recognized as Orange Shirt Day. On that date, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange in order to raise awareness of the legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of survivors. To mark Orange Shirt Day, our Government is also supporting a national event organized by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. 

To learn more about Orange Shirt Day please visit: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html 

#OrangeShirtDay on Sept 30 is a time to honour the Survivors of residential schools and commit to Reconciliation. Below is a thread of educational resources to help you understand and unpack Canada’s history of residential schools. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6NVMPE9oXB

— Historica Canada (@HistoricaCanada) September 16, 2020

Recently, Minister Bennet announced the launch of the new Healing and Commemoration Collection's Online Portal, which commemorates the experiences of former students who attended the Nain, St. Anthony, Lockwood, Makkovik and Yale Residential Schools. By sharing the stories and memories of survivors, this portal will provide all Canadians with the opportunity to learn more about our shared history. It is an important and meaningful step on the path to reconciliation to face our difficult past and the trauma stemming from residential schooling that continues to have a generational impact on First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities. 

For more details, please see the following news release.

In addition, Minister Wilkinson recently announced the designation of two former Residential School sites as national historic sites.  In order to move forward in the spirit of reconciliation, our government recognizes that we must face our difficult past and the trauma stemming from Residential Schooling that continues to affect members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

For more details, please see the following news release.