Canada marks 4th annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Peggy

Canada marks the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation today.

The day is a time to remember Indigenous children who died at residential schools, the survivors, their families and communities. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, it takes place Sept. 30 each year and is a federal statutory holiday.

More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forced to attend church-run, government-funded residential schools between the 1870s and 1997. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation estimated that more than 4,100 children died while attending the schools.

Events are being held across the country to mark the day, including a 90-minute ceremony in Ottawa.

The Peace Tower and Senate building will be illuminated in orange throughout the evening.

CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault is hosting special coverage of the events live from Parliament Hill starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.

You can read here about how to follow the ceremony on all CBC platforms, and read here about all the special programming across CBC.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour service at 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.