Truth and Reconciliation
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Held each year on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was recognized by the Canadian government beginning in 2021, in direct response to Call to Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take part in this important collective commemoration intended to honour the Survivors of Canada’s residential school system, their families and communities, and to ensure that public recognition of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Before becoming recognized by the Canadian government as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30 was known as Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story of having her “shiny new orange shirt” forcibly taken away from her on her first day of residential school. Orange Shirt Day was created to build awareness of the individual, family, and community intergenerational impacts of Canada's residential schools. Read Phyllis' story in her own words.
OCAD U students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear orange and take time to learn more about the impacts of Canada’s residential school system and the experiences of its Survivors.
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Events at OCAD U
Every Child Matters Fundraiser
The Indigenous Student Centre is selling orange toques for $20 to raise funds for the Woodland Cultural Centre, the former Mohawk Institute in Brantford.
Public Reading of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action
September 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
100 McCaul St. Lobby
All community members are welcome to attend. If you are interested in participating in reading a section of the Calls to Action, please complete the form by September 25.
Screening: WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)
September 30, 2 to 4 p.m.
Auditorium (MCA 190), 100 McCaul St.
For generations, the suffering of residential school Survivors has radiated outward, impacting Indigenous families and communities. Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin’s deeply personal documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) moves beyond intergenerational trauma, with an invitation to unravel the tangled threads of silence and unite in collective freedom and power.
External Events
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba has organized a daily series of lunch and learns covering a different topic on each day of the week leading up to September 30.
The Toronto Council Fire Indigenous Legacy Gathering is organizing a series of activities being held on Friday, September 27 and Monday, September 30. There will be opportunities to explore Indigenous culture through hands-on workshops, music, dance and performance at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. West).
The Annual Pow Wow - Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, will take place in Dufferin Grove Park (875 Dufferin St.) at noon on Saturday, September 28. There will also be a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m.
Stay updated with Indigenous events and ceremonies in Toronto: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – City of Toronto, and Indigenous Events, Commemorations & Awards – City of Toronto.
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Resources
Learn more about the Indigenous community at OCAD U:
Learn more about Canada's Indian Residential School system, and the survivor, family and intergeneration impacts on this country's Indigenous peoples:
- Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website. This site contains extensive reports and educational resources related to the residential schools and reconciliation.
- Learn more about the origin and purpose of Orange Shirt Day.
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Report (Summary)
- Read the 94 Calls to Action
- Read the reports of the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including the Calls for Justice.
- Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Visit the City of Toronto’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation web page for events.
- Learn more about Federal government events.
- Aboriginal Healing Foundation – Residential School Resources
- Deepening Knowledge, OISE
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Learn more about the residential schools and take a tour of former sites, e.g. through the Woodland Cultural Centre. Learn about Mohawk Village Memorial Park, which will honour the children who attended the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School.
Learn more about the Indigenous community in Tkaronto and Ontario:
- Native Canadian Centre Toronto
- Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
- Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
Learn about the treaties:
- Visit www.ontario.ca/page/treaties and www.native-land.ca.
Learn more about the story of Indigenous peoples in the place we now call Canada:
- Explore resources about the Indigenous History of Tkaronto.
- Explore the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
- Read a book by an Indigenous author on reconciliation.
Learn about national Indigenous political and advocacy organizations:
- Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
- Métis National Council (MNC)
- Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)
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Wellness supports
The list below contains 24/7 support services for Indigenous people.
- Indian Residential School Crisis Line (For Survivors and Family) 1-866-925-4419
- Kids Help Phone Indigenous people can connect with an Indigenous crisis responder by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, or METIS to 686868 for young people and 741741 for adults or through Facebook Messenger
- FNMI Hope for Wellness Hotline 1-855-242-3310
- Anishnawbe Mental Health Crisis Line 416- 891-8606
- Talk4Healing Indigenous Women 1-855-554-4325
- Aboriginal Crisis Intervention Line 416-531-0330
Additional supports:
- Wellness supports for OCAD U Indigenous students
- Student Wellness Centre (OCAD U students)
- keep.meSAFE (OCAD U students)
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (OCAD U employees)
- Immediate support: 416-408-4357 (Distress Centre)
More Information
For more information, please contact the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost at vpap@ocadu.ca.