National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an Indigenous-led commemorative day that honours the children who have survived residential schools, remembering those who did not, and reflecting on the actions of the past to create a better tomorrow. This day is held to bring awareness to the loss of culture, family, freedom, and self-esteem the Indigenous Nations across North America have experienced. By creating awareness and understanding of the actions of our past we aspire to reconcile with those who suffered in the past and to build a better future.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is acknowledged through Orange Shirt Day.
Wearing orange is in recognition of  Phyllis Webstad’s experience, a residential school survivor and a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) author from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation located in the Caribou region of British Columbia. Phyllis arrived on her first day of school in a new orange shirt, which was then taken from her. This memory inspired Phylis to share her experience and build momentum around acknowledging the experience of First Nations residential school survivors, creating the symbolism of the stripping away of culture, freedom, family, and self-esteem experienced by First Nations children over generations.

Join the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nations on Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Territory at the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre to support First Nations in reconciliation and to continue to spread truth and knowledge, creating a better tomorrow for generations to come.