Truth and Reconciliation is not just a day, it’s our responsibility

An orange background with text over it that says "National Day for Truth and Reconciliation." Graphics of beaded flowers, two narwhals and an eagle flying on the bottom corner.

Let’s honour survivors and confront colonialism everyday

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to remember and honour the victims and survivors of the Canadian residential school system, and a time to commit to undoing Canada’s harmful colonial legacy and ongoing colonialism. 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, is commemorated with events all over the country. Please find one near you by searching “Truth and Reconciliation Day Event + (your town or city)” and show up for residential school survivors and Indigenous communities.

The impacts of Canada’s residential school system continue to cause harm today. And while these schools no longer operate, modern day laws and policies still perpetuate racism and unfair treatment of Indigenous Peoples. In everything from healthcare to education, current systems continue to fail to ensure justice and dignity for everyone.

At the Wilderness Committee, we understand every square centimetre of land and water in Canada is on the territory of a First Nation, Inuit or Métis Nation, and that means all work to defend the ecosystems must also call for justice for Indigenous Peoples. From Grassy Narrows to the Lemay Forest to Clayoquot Sound, the places we protect in our fight for environmental justice are also the sites of oppression and colonial violence, both over the course of Canada’s history and today.

It’s our responsibility to understand systemic racism here in Canada and challenge ongoing colonialism. This work must extend beyond a single day, to every day of the year and every year of our lives.

The best way to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is to support survivors directly. Please make a donation to an organization that supports Residential School Survivors, including:

Additional resources can be found on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website, which posts news, reports, events and other information throughout the year. You can also re-read the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and learn more about whose land you live on.

The Wilderness Committee is in solidarity with all those impacted by the Canadian residential school system, and commits to doing our part to decolonize our work and challenge systemic racism wherever we encounter it.