Canada marks 2nd annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Ceremonies are being held across the country to reflect on Canada's history with Indigenous people

CBC.ca
Sept. 30, 2022

Today, Canada marks its second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation -- a time to remember children who died while being forced to attend church-run and government-funded residential schools, those who survived and made it home, and the families and communities still affected by lasting trauma.

The day was made a federal statutory holiday last year, realizing a recommendation made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

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Ceremonies will be held across the country to reflect on the country's history and treatment of Indigenous people. All federal government buildings in Canada -- including the Peace Tower in Ottawa -- will lower their flags to half mast from sunrise to sunset.

Sept. 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, which honours the story of Phyllis Webstad, a former residential school student who had her orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is encouraging Canadians to wear orange as an act of solidarity.

On Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the day will start with an eagle feather ceremony for residential school survivors at 8:30 a.m. ET, followed by a walk to nearby LeBreton Flats Park, where attendees will lay children's footwear on the ground to commemorate those who died in residential schools.

Here's how to follow the events on all CBC platforms:

• A one hour commemoration ceremony in Ottawa will begin at 1 p.m. ET. This special event honours residential school survivors, their families and their communities, and includes a commemorative program from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, in association with APTN.
• CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault will host special coverage of the events starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App.
• On CBC Radio One and CBC Listen, Falen Johnson will host the live coverage, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
• CBC.ca will have regular updates and livestream the events.

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.