National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sep 30)

September 30, 2024, will mark the 4th annual National Day for Truth & Reconciliation in Canada.

On March 9, 2023, the Province of British Columbia passed legislation to make September 30 a statutory holiday. Enshrining National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in B.C. law gives more people the chance to commemorate the history and legacy of the residential school system on September 30 each year.

Participate.

This month could be an opportunity to participate in an Indigenous-led event near you.

In Victoria, people are invited to attend the South Island Powwow on Sept. 30. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
In Vancouver:
- Come Toward the Fire is a free Indigenous-led festival celebrating culture, creativity, and community on Sept. 14.
- There are a variety of events leading up to Orange Shirt Day, including film screenings and lectures.
- There is an Intergenerational March at UBC on Sept. 30.
Find out if there is an event in your area by searching “September 30th National Day of Truth and Reconciliation event” and the location you are in. Look in both the current name of the location and the First Nations name. If you can’t find anything current, check back for updates.
People can post September 30^th events on the Orange Shirt Day events page.

Learn.

September is also a very good time to learn more about the history necessitating the creation of Truth & Reconciliation Day as well as ways we can each contribute to a better future.

The Moose Hide Campaign offers “Honouring Truth and Reconciliation“, a guide to observing and participating in the day.
The National Center for Truth and Reconciliation hosts daily online Lunch and Learn webinars Sept. 23-27 at 10am Pacific. These sessions offer an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada.
The BI wiki page on “Anti-Racist & Indigenized Behavioural Science” hosts resources about how behavioural science has contributed to historic and ongoing harms and how the field can do better, including ways we can Indigenize behavioural science and use Indigenized behavioural science to contribute to Reconciliation.
Visit the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, whether online or in person.
Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Develop your Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies.
Take a course like Indigenous Canada or Weaving Relations.

Support.

You may also want to consider supporting Indigenous businesses and organizations.

UBC Learning Circle has compiled a list of Indigenous-owned businesses.
Buy your next BI read from an Indigenous-owned bookstore like Massy Books.
There are a number of relevant non-profits to support, including the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

Resources previously shared: