Orange Shirt Day, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, observed on September 30th, honors the survivors of residential schools and remember those who never returned.

These schools, part of a system aimed at forcibly assimilating Indigenous children, caused immense cultural and generational trauma. In recent years, this movement has gained recognition in the United States, where the government is beginning to acknowledge the role of residential schools as a form of cultural genocide.

Investigations have uncovered mass graves of Indigenous children on former school grounds, leading to efforts to identify and return the remains to their home communities. This growing awareness reflects a broader reckoning with the legacy of these schools and the need for healing and justice for Indigenous peoples across North America.

The day serves as a call to reflect on the lasting impact of these atrocities and commit to meaningful reconciliation. Join us on September 28th for a walk starting at Lake Riley at 10 am followed by commemorative activities at the top of Cobb’s Hill by the White Pine Tree of Peace..