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2025 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Home > 2025 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) responds to Call to Action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which calls for a federal statutory holiday to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of Residential Schools remains a vital component of the Reconciliation process. This day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013 to honour Phyllis Webstad’s story and the experience of thousands of children whose identities and cultures were suppressed in the Residential School system. 

This Guide is designed to help you and your organization prepare for the NDTR on September 30, 2025.  

What Can We Do? 

Reflect  

Reconciliation begins with reflection. Take time to examine your own connection to Canada’s history and your role in contributing to the repair of cultural continuity in the communities where you live and work. 

Use the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Interactive Map of Residential Schools as a starting point. As you explore the map, consider the following: 

  • Where is the closest former Residential School to where you live today? 
  • Where is the closest Residential School to where you grew up? 
  • The last Residential School closed in 1996. What was happening in your life – or in your family’s life – at that time? 

These questions are meant to help place yourself within the timeline of a living history – one that continues to affect survivors, their families and Indigenous communities today. Reflection opens the door to learning, understanding and, most importantly, action. 

Learn  

It’s important to honour survivors, acknowledge the harms of Residential Schools and take meaningful steps toward understanding and healing.  

  • Attend a virtual event or webinar 

Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025 – Hosted by the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025 offers free virtual programming for the public and K-12 students and teachers.  

  • Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025 – Hosted by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025 offers multiple free virtual events, including a Ten Years Later learning series starting September 2. 
  • Listen to a podcast 
  • Relentless Indigenous Woman – Hosted by Dr. Candace Linklater, this podcast was shared with our team at Rise earlier this year. This podcast is a space for uncensored and unapologetic conversations on the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples.  
  • Read a book 
  • The Fire Still Burns: Life in and After Residential School – Sam George shares his account of the St. Paul’s Indian Residential School in North Vancouver and the lasting effects of the trauma he experienced. This book was supported by the Writing Lives Program, which bridges generations by bringing students and Indigenous Elders together to co-write life stories that foster cultural understanding and Reconciliation. 

Check out the Watch, Listen and Read section of our website for more ideas. 

Act  

Turn your learning into action. Here are a few ideas to consider:  

  • Wear your Orange Shirt and participate in community events 
  • Look on community websites to find Every Child Matters walks, gatherings and other events in your area – attend with family members, friends or colleagues 
  • Recognize NDTR in your workplace 
  • Engage – reach out now to Indigenous communities nearby to see how you can support their plans for the day through a donation, sending lunch, or providing honoraria for their Elders, Survivors or families. Make sure this is a trust-based contribution. 
  • Host a speaker – invite residential school survivors, Elders or youth to speak about their experiences and visions for Reconciliation. Invite a member of the Rise Consulting team to share knowledge with your team or consider these speakers.  
  • Host a workshop – develop a session using the TRC Calls to Action, Indigenous authors or short films followed by facilitated reflection. 
  • Order lunch from an Indigenous catering company – search for one in your area using the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’ Indigenous Business Directory 
  • Dedicate a room or space for learning and reflection – provide prompts, art materials and/or books by Indigenous authors and artists. 
  • Attend a public walk, gathering or NDTR event – encourage your colleagues to join. 
  • Create a gift pack of Indigenous goods – checkout the list of Indigenous-owned businesses below that provide clothing, accessories, wellness products and books. 
  • Send an email with recommendations on how your colleagues can commemorate NDTR – include book, podcast and video recommendations and a local event listing. 

Look at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to explore further actions you can take in your personal and professional life. 

Purchase

Support Indigenous-owned businesses, especially those where the proceeds are given directly to the Orange Shirt Society or another Indigenous charity or non-profit. A couple we’ve found:

Share Resources

Share dollars or time with organizations that support the advancement of Truth and Reconciliation across Turtle Island, such as:

Check out the Rise Impact Program section of our website for more ideas.

Continue the Journey

Remember that Reconciliation is not a single day – it’s a lifelong journey. September 30 is a time to listen, learn, mourn and commit, but the real work begins with what we do after.

If you need additional support this month, you can access Hope for Wellness Online Chat Counselling Services at: www.hopeforwellness.ca or the Indian Residential School Survivors and Family crisis phone line at: 1-800-721-0066.

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