Today is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today, across Canada, we pause to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is a solemn reminder of the truths of our history and the lasting impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities. It’s also a day to honour the survivors, the children who never returned home, and the resilience of Indigenous Peoples and their cultures.

As a Black Canadian of Haitian descent, I feel it’s especially important that my daughters understand Canada’s full history — not just the parts that are easy or comfortable to teach, but also the difficult truths. Learning about residential schools, and the harm and trauma inflicted on Indigenous children and families, is an essential part of raising them to be empathetic, informed, and justice-minded citizens.

In our homeschooling, we take time to learn about residential schools and why remembering matters — so that something like this never happens again. This isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary.

Here are some YouTube resources that help explain Orange Shirt Day in ways kids can connect with:

To make things easier for families who want to include this in their own teaching, there’s also a free download available here

every child matters Download

with an activity and discussion points to help kids understand the importance of today.

The path to reconciliation begins with truth. Truth requires us to listen, to learn, and to acknowledge the pain caused by residential schools. Reconciliation will not happen overnight — it is a long road, but it is one worth walking, together.

This year, Tim Hortons is once again honouring this day with their Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign. On Tuesday, September 30th, 100% of the proceeds from every donut sold will go directly to Indigenous charities, including:

The Orange Shirt Society
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
Ulnooweg Education Centre

Since its launch in 2021, thanks to the leadership of Indigenous restaurant owners, this initiative has raised over $3.6 million for these important causes. Learn more here: Tim Hortons Orange Sprinkle Donut.

Reconciliation is ongoing, and it begins with all of us — through remembrance, education, and action. Today, let’s choose to honour Indigenous children, survivors, and communities. Let’s choose truth. And let’s choose to be part of a better future, one step at a time.

🧡 Every Child Matters.