National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,
and Orange Shirt Day!

In order to honour those impacted by the painful legacy of residential schools and the deep wounds they left on Indigenous families and communities, it is critical that we take a moment to reflect, remember, and commit to a better future together.  

Wearing orange on this significant day is one of the most visible ways to support Truth and Reconciliation. Orange has become a symbol of solidarity with Indigenous communities and has a long history. The orange shirt symbolizes the resilience and strength of survivors and their families.  Wearing orange on September 30th is a simple but powerful way to recognize the pain and suffering endured by Indigenous children and families in the residential school system. It serves as a visual reminder that we are committed to acknowledging our history's truths and working towards a more just and inclusive future.

Here are some book recommendations to help you understand the history and
ongoing efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation: 
 

The Survivors Speak by Wayne Arthurson

Call Number: E96.5 .T787 2015

ISBN: 9781522796145

Publication Date: 2015

In this volume, residential school Survivors speak of their pain, loneliness, and suffering, and of their accomplishments. While this is a difficult story, it is also a story of courage and endurance. The first step in any process of national reconciliation requires us all to attend to these voices, which have been silenced for far too long.

21 things you may not know about the Indian Act : helping Canadians make reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a reality by Robert P C Joseph

Call Number: KE7709 .J67 2018

ISBN: 9780995266520

Publication Date: 2018

A guide to understanding the Indian Act and its impact on generations of Indigenous Peoples, as well as an examination of how Indigenous Peoples can return to self-government, self-determination, and self-reliance.

Truth and reconciliation through education : stories of decolonizing practices by Yvonne Poitras Pratt (Editor), Sulyn Bodnaresko (Editor)

Call Number: LC196.5.C2 T78 2023

ISBN: 9781550599336

Publication Date: 2023

Springing from an Indigenous education master's certificate program at the University of Calgary and written from an adult education perspective on transformative learning, this book invites educators into a conversation about truth and reconciliation through education.

The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

Call Number: E77 .K566 2018

ISBN: 9781517904463

Publication Date: 2018

Thomas King provides a witty and thought-provoking exploration of the history and experiences of North American Indigenous peoples.

 

 

 

Power Through Testimony by Brieg Capitaine (Editor), Karine Vanthuyne (Editor)

Call Number: E96.5 .P69 2017

ISBN: 9780774833899

Publication Date: 2017

Power through Testimony documents how Survivors are remembering and reframing our understanding of residential schools in the wake of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which includes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a forum for Survivors, families, and communities to share their memories and stories with the Canadian public.