September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
From Canada.ca:

“The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, 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 also takes place on this day.

“Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not.”

Canadians are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on this day. If you are purchasing an orange shirt, please try to buy from Indigenous designers and sellers. VanMag compiled a short list of such designers, here.

Visit Canada.ca for more information and links to important resources.

If you would like to support and spread the word about Indigenous-led organizations that are doing great work to support Indigenous communities dealing with intergenerational trauma, these are a few:

• Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society: https://wahrs.ca/ (donations can be made through: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/47375/donation — just indicate that your donation is for WAHRS in the notes).
• Indian Residential Schools Survivors’ Society: https://www.irsss.ca/
• Urban Native Youth Association: https://unya.bc.ca/

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has also collaborated with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to produce a new broadcast special, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, Insight Productions and Canadian Heritage. For more information, please click here.

DABC will be closed on September 30th in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We encourage our staff, volunteers and readers to check out the links above and use this day to learn and reflect.