National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Today is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation here in Canada.
This day honours the Indigenous children lost and the Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and the ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Today is the day we recognize the harm residential schools inflicted on Indigenous children and families, honour truth and reconciliation, and support the healing of those impacted. Today - and every day - is a day to work to address discrimination and to support the Indigenous members of our communities.
Three ways that you can honour this day include:
Visit the Remember Me gathering on Parliament Hill.
Take a moment of silence at 2:15 pm (which refers to the number of graves found in Kamloops, British Columbia).
Wear orange or show an orange in your window.
Today is also a day to be respectful and mindful, as many Indigenous and Native people are mourning and grieving this day.