Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day 2024

Each year, we honour both National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30th. This is a vital time of reflection on our collective past for those living and working on Indigenous lands now known as Canada, and locally the First Nations’ unceded traditional territories now collectively known as British Columbia.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a call to action for all of us, it’s both a celebration of resilience, advancement, dynamism and the capacity-building work we all must do in solidarity with First Nations with long-term partnerships for mutual success. It also calls upon us to understand what is true, and to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

The creative industries are vital to uplifting and centering authentic Indigenous narratives, honoring those who are the rightful stewards of these stories. These stories are essential to this land, and we are accountable for reflecting on and engaging with the history of the land we live on. They provide valuable insights and truths from distinct perspectives, highlighting the rich histories, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Indigenous sovereignty and the stewardship of their stories are integral to shaping the landscape of B.C.’s creative industries and beyond. View events and resources to honour Orange Shirt Day in B.C. below.

Resources, Tools, Actions, and Learning for Non-Indigenous People 

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act)

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration)

Declaration Act Action Plan

BC Friendship Centres

Make a donation to support Indian Residential School Survivors

Make a donation to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages, arts and culture in B.C. through the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation

TRC Calls to Action

Learn whose land you are on with the First Peoples Map of B.C.