09/30/2024
*Not to be confused with Day of Reconciliation or Reconciliation Day. *
- NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION - ORANGE SHIRT DAY -
For those who do not know..... The residential schools aimed to eliminate Indigenous language and culture and replace it with English or French language and Christian beliefs. It was genocide, one of Canadas darkest kept secrets for over 100 years. The last residential school to close in Canada was in 1996.
In total there were 130 Residential Schools in Canada between 1831-1996
In 1931 there were 80 opened at once - This was the most at one time -
From 1831 to 1996 over 150,000 children attended residential schools.
An estimated 6,000 children were murdered and buried in unmarked graves.
Torture and SA happened regularly by the Nuns and the Priests who ran the Residential Schools. Children were heavily beaten, chained or confined.
We take this day especially to remember those who never made it home to their families.
On 3 June 2021, the federal government recognized every 30 September annually as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honors the survivors of residential schools as well as their families.
Another commemorative day, Orange Shirt Day, is also held every year on 30 September. Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 and was inspired by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad. On her first day of school, Webstad wore an orange shirt that was taken from her by the school authorities and never given back. Orange shirts are worn to commemorate all those children who had their culture taken from them.