How you can observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Ottawa

The third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is upon us.

The federal statutory holiday, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was established as a way to remember the children who died while being forced to attend residential schools, as well as those who survived, and the families and communities still affected by lasting trauma.

Canadians are encouraged to honour the day by attending an event, reading the Truth and Reconciliation report, speaking and listening to Elders or taking a moment for quiet reflection.

Wearing the colour orange has also become a symbol of commemoration of the experiences of Indigenous children who were removed from their families and places in residential schools.

Ways you can observe and honour the the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Ottawa: 

• Seven Ottawa Public Library branches will be open and several programs will be available at these branches, including a bilingual family Storywalk® of the book Every Child Matters by Phyllis Webstad, and the opportunity to help build a heart garden and paint remembrance rocks to honour the children who died in residential schools.

• For residents unable to participate in in-person programming, virtual options are also available. To see which branches will be open and explore the full list of programs, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca.

• Ottawa Public Library staff have also put together book and film lists that you can read, watch and learn from throughout the year:

1. Adult
2. Youth
3. Film/Music

• The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will host a series of virtual lunch and learn sessions throughout the week. A national commemorative gathering will also be broadcast live from Parliament Hill on Saturday, Sept. 30. Check your local listings to tune in live. Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website to learn more information and to register.

• Visitors at the Canadian Museum of History will be invited to join the conversation on truth and reconciliation on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1. Visit historymuseum.ca to learn more.

• Several events will be held in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Beechwood Cemetery. On Saturday, Sept. 30, a short film will be screened at the Beechwod National Memorial Centre’s Sacred Space. Following the screening, visitors can participate in a guided Reconciliation Tour and attend the unveiling of the Children’s Sacred Forest at 2 p.m. For more information and to register, visit beechwoodottawa.ca.

• The Peace Tower at Parliament Hill will be illuminated orange from Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7 pm to sunrise on Sunday, Oct. 1.

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the flags at all City of Ottawa facilities will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise on Saturday, Sept. 30 until sunrise on Sunday, Oct. 1, along with the Survivors Flag at city hall, in front of the Heritage Building and on Marion Dewar Plaza.

During this same time period, the Heritage Building and the OTTAWA sign on the ByWard Market will be illuminated in orange.

Some city services will operate on different schedules.