Click here to learn more about the history of the Day and how it was established.
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.
This Saturday, September 30 marks the third 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”.
We encourage 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.
Learn more with the listed resources below! Attend official events in your area or donate to an Indigenous cause.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Use the toggle menu below to learn more about about Truth & Reconciliation day and discover resources to aid your education and reflection.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as 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.
This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.
Click here to learn more about the Day and its history.
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is about commemorating the residential school experience, witnessing and honoring the healing journey of the survivors and their families.
The orange shirt has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future. By wearing an orange shirt on September 30, you make a statement to support reconciliation and commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS.
The Truth & Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission works to provide those directly or indirectly affected by the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.
Click here to learn more about the commission and their work
Reconciliation Canada Toolkits
The Reconciliation Canada Community Action Toolkits are intended to provide you with some guidelines and ideas on how to start the reconciliation conversation.
Click here to view the toolkits.
Learning Resources from Government BC
Click on the link below to navigate through the list of links for learning resources aimed to educate the public about topics such as reconciliation; languages, cultures and heritage of Indigenous Peoples in Canada; the residential school system; effects of colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and more.
Join the Conversation with Government of Canada
Explore the history, languages, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
ATTEND AN EVENT IN YOUR AREA
Many events are happening across BC in September to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – check out the below list from the Government of British Columbia to find events in your area.
Participation is encouraged. Since schools are likely to be closed on Monday, October 2 (because the new statutory day falls on a Saturday in
2023), most schools will hold events in the days leading up to September 30.
DONATE TO A CAUSE
Donate to a cause – learn more by exploring the toggle menu below.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization that provides essential services to residential school survivors and families experiencing intergenerational trauma. It has been supporting Indigenous people since 1994.
Orange Shirt Society
Donations help Phyllis Webstad and the Orange Shirt Society raise awareness across Canada about the Indian Residential Schools and their continuing impacts on individuals, families and communities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
HELP LINES
Emotional support is available – learn more using the toggle menu below:
Indian Residential School Survivors Society Help Line
Since 1994, the Indian Residential School Survivors Society has been offering front-line emotional, cultural, and crisis support through our Resolution Health Support Workers (RHSW). The RHSW team supports emotional, mental, and spiritual development, along with healing and recovery for survivors, families and communities, and their work is guided by culturally-based values and principles.
Residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors can also access culturally safe, non-judgmental and confidential counselling services from the RHSW team. Counselling services are short-term until long-term help or a resolution can be found.
The following kinds of emotional supports are available: Individual, Couples, Family, Group, Sharing Circles, Crisis Counselling, and Community Crisis Support.
Call toll-free at 1-800-721-0066.
Former Residential School Student Help Line
Former residential school students can call for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
Hope for Wellness Help Line
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling and crisis intervention. It is available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP) provides mental health and emotional support services directly to former students and their families as they participate in the different components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Click here to learn more about the program.
BC Rugby
A: 2015 Main Street, Vancouver, BC | V5T 0J8
T: 604.737.3065
E: info@bcrugby.com
BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges that its offices reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
