September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

With the first annual Day commemorated in 2021, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the victims and communities of the Canadian Residential School System. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This day also marks Orange Shirt Day, 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”.

BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges that we live, work, and play the sport of Rugby on the traditional and unceded territories of Indigenous Peoples across all regions of British Columbia.

In the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on Sport and Reconciliation (point #87 to #91) that focus on sport and public education, BC Rugby encourages all Rugby participants and community members to wear Orange and use this day as a time of acknowledgement, education and reflection on the tragic legacy left by the Canadian Residential School System. View the resources below to learn more, attend events, donate, and reach help lines.