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Orange Shirt Day & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, local events, and how to learn more.
About
Orange Shirt DayThe Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation and Survivor of the residential school system (also called residential institutions).
When Phllis was six years old and preparing to attend a residential institution, her grandmother bought her a new orange shirt. When she arrived, the shirt was taken from her. This experience became a symbol of the loss, mistreatment, andContinue reading
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Read on to learn about these days, local events, and how to learn more.
About
Orange Shirt DayThe Orange Shirt Day movement was started by Phyllis Jack Webstad, a member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation and Survivor of the residential school system (also called residential institutions).
When Phllis was six years old and preparing to attend a residential institution, her grandmother bought her a new orange shirt. When she arrived, the shirt was taken from her. This experience became a symbol of the loss, mistreatment, and lasting harm experienced by Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential institutions.
Today, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led day of remembrance, reflection, and learning. It honours Survivors, the children who never returned home, and the families and communities affected by the residential school system. September 30 was chosen because it marks the time of year when many Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and sent to residential institutions.
Learn more about Orange Shirt Day through the Orange Shirt Society or by reading Phyllis's Orange Shirt.
About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday in 2021 following a Call to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
It is a day to learn about the truth about Canada's history, including the harms caused by residential institutions and other colonial policies. It is also a reminder that reconciliation is an ongoign responsibility. Through learning, relationship building, and meaningful action, each of us has a role to play in supporting healing, jusitce, and reconciliation.
Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day on the Government of Canada website.
Note: As part of learning 'truth', events and learning resources listed below may include discussions about residential institutions, colonization, racism, violence, loss, and intergenerational trauma. Please use discretion and take care of your wellbeing and access support if needed. Support resources are listed below.
Supports
You are not alone. Support is available.
If learning about residential institutions and the impacts of colonization bring up difficult emotions, consider reaching out to family, friends, Elders, community supports, or professional services. The following resources are available 24 hours a day:
Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help 24/7 to all Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 1-855-242-3310 (toll free) or online chat www.hopeforwellness.ca
National Residential School Crisis Line provides 24/7 crisis support to former Residential School students and their families. 1-866-925-4419 (toll free)
Chatham-Kent Victim’s Services support local residents after traumatic experiences, but is not a mental health crisis service (call 911 in case of emergency). 519-436-6630 – leave a voicemail with name, reason for calling, call-back number.
Local Events
Events and descriptions will be updated as more information becomes available. To add an event, contact DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca
Note: Events may include discussions about residential institutions, colonization, racism, violence, loss, and intergenerational trauma. Please take care of your wellbeing and access support if needed. Support resources are listed above.
Wear orange and join events below to listen, learn, reflect, and consider how each of us can support healing, justice, and reconciliation in our communities.
All events are free and open to everyone, unless otherwise noted.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Paint with Moses
Spirit and Life Centre, Chatham
Open to ages 12 and up. Register before September 21.
Join the Truth and Reconciliation Action Table of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes for an educational workshop with First Nations artist Moses Lunham. This meaningful event offers an opportunity to learn more about the 94 Calls to Action, deepen understanding of Indigenous experiences, and reflect on our shared responsibility toward Truth and Reconciliation.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m.Survivor's Flag Raising & Information Booths
Chatham Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham
Partnership with Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.Meet & Greet and Networking
Deshkan Ziibi, 495 King Street West, Chatham
Following the flag raising, join Maawnjidimi Indigenous Network, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, 7 Generations Indigenous Cultural Friendship Centre, and partners for refreshments and networking.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Caldwell First Nation Orange Shirt Day
Caldwell First Nation Community Hall, 14 Orange Street, Leamington
Caldwell First Nation is hosting a community-led gathering on Caldwell's Traditional Territory to honour children who did not return home, Survivor's or residential schools, and their families, and support intergenerational healing through remembrance, ceremony, drumming and dancing. Meet at the Community Hall by 9:30. Smudge, walk down Erie Street to Roma Club. Everyone welcome. Contact Carrrie Ann cultural.dev@caldwellfirstnation.ca for more information.
Wednesday, September 30
, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.5th annual Healing Walk & Gathering
Wallaceburg
Join a meaningful walk and gathering to honour local Survivors of residential institutions. Walk begins at Wallaceburg Library and ends at Civic Square Park for the gathering. Please feel free to bring lawn chairs. Partnership between Giyakiishchigewin, Walpole Island Employment & Training and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Orange Shirt Day Activities and Walk of Reconciliation
St. Clair College Chatham Campus - 1001 Grand Ave W
Come together to honour Survivors of the residential school system, their families, and to remember those who did not return. The event will foster dialogue and learning about Canada's colonial history and how it continues to impact Indigenous communities today. 11:00 a.m. flag raising. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation live stream Room W1028. Orange Shirt Pin activity and Indigenous Craft Vendors Front Lobby. 12:30 p.m. Walk of Reconciliation from Front Entrance. Organized by St. Clair College Indigenous Student Services.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.Screening of Meadowlarks
Chatham Capitol Theatre
Inspired by true events, Meadowlarks follows four Cree siblings who were separated as children through Canada’s Sixties Scoop and reunite for the first time as adults. Over the course of a weekend in Banff, they confront their pasts, explore their identities, and begin a journey toward healing, understanding, and family connection. This moving Canadian drama offers a powerful story of resilience, reconciliation, and hope. Sponsored by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice team and Chatham-Kent Film Group.
Continue Learning
Can't attend an event in person? There are many ways to learn on September 30 and throughout the year. Listen to Survivors, explore Indigenous voices and perspectives, and deepen your understanding of the history and ongoing impacts of residential institutions and colonization.
E-Learning
Daily Lunch and Learns from the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation - September 21 - 25, 1:00 - 2:00p.m.
Join daily Lunch and Learn webinars – an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. Aimed at an adult audience, and open to the public. Hosted virtually over Zoom Webinar and streamed to YouTube. Includes simultaneous English-French, and ASL interpretation. Presented with the gracious support of Enbridge and the Canadian Public Health Association.
Advancing Re(al)conciliation - Free eLearning
RBC is sponsoring an online self-paced course from First Nations University. Anyone in Canada can take this for free.
Listen:
A Day to Listen (September 30th)
Tune in to your favourite local radio station to learn about moving reconciliation forward in meaningful ways. Learn more from the Downie & Wenjack Fund website.
Unreserved
A CBC radio space for Indigenous voices. Host Rosanne Deerchild guides listeners on the path to better understand our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations.
Watch:
Remembering the Children: Live Event Broadcast - September 30, 12:00 p.m.
Watch the national event at Parliament Hill. Watch and learn more on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.
Orange Shirt Day
Learn about the origins of Orange Shirt Day through this Youtube video by the Orange Shirt Society.
We Are Still Here and Aftershock Documentaries
Three local women from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, and the Bjekwanong First Nation on Walpole Island, share their memories of surviving residential institutions in this YouTube Video. Then, watch Aftershock, a documentary that features the children of the women in We Are Still Here.
The Secret Path
Animated film adaptation of Gord Downie's album and Jeff Lemire's graphic novel about the life of Chanie Wenjack.
Kevin Lamoureux on Truth and Reconciliation
Kevin Lamoureux, the Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Winnipeg, speaks about Truth and Reconciliation at a TEDx event in this YouTube clip.
The Sixties Scoop in Canada
A CBC video on YouTube about how Canada took thousands of Indigenous children from their parents between the 1960s and the 1980s, and how the effects are still being felt today.
Dr. Maureen Lux on the Painful History of Indian hospitals
An APTN video on YouTube about the history of 'Indian' hospitals in Canada.
Read:
Residential Schools Timeline
A visual timeline of residential institutions in Canada. Find it on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.
The Witness Blank
Explore items reclaimed from residential institutions, churches, government buildings accompanied by the voices of Survivors. Visit The Witness Blanket website.
The dark history of Canada's Food Guide: How experiments on Indigenous children shaped nutrition policy
A CBC article and recording in which Unreserved host Roseanne Deerchild explores how nutritional studies and experiments were performed in Indigenous communities and residential schools in the 1940s and '50s.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action
Drafted from consultations with residential institution survivors and family members across Canada. Recommendations are directed at individuals, organizations, and all levels of government. Read the Calls to Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.
21 Things You May Not Have Known About the Indian Act
An article from Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. about the Indian Act in Canada.
CK Road to Understanding Indigenous Cultures
Learn about local First Nations, relationships with government, and Treaties. Find the resource on the Living CK website. Hard copies of this resource are available by contacting us.
CK Public Library Resources
Visit the CKPL website to find books and other resources to learn about our shared past and how we can move towards healing, justice, and reconciliation.