National Truth and Reconciliation Day

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30th. It’s a day for people to remember the horrors of Canada’s past residential schools.

(Note: The above photo is of the memorial honouring First Nations children who died at Canadian residential schools between the 1800s and 1990s. It emerged on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery in the spring of 2021 after the discovery of potential mass graves at a residential school in Kamloops, BC. The memorial remained in place until 2023.)

Below is information about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as a list of events that usually take place to commemorate and honour the day.

Click on any of the following links to skip to events in a specific city:

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

A relatively new annual holiday, as of 2021, the day is an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on historic racism and the consequences of generations of Indigenous children being taken from their families.

Originally introduced in Parliament in September, 2020, Bill C-5 was signed into law in the summer of 2021. The law gives Canada a new statutory holiday. September 30th is now officially National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across the country.

Since 2013, September 30th has been known as Orange Shirt Day. Residential school survivor and BC resident Phyllis Webstad was the inspiration for the movement. She shared a story of her initiation at a residential school. A new orange shirt she’d received from her family (along with the rest of her clothes) was taken from her.

Orange Shirt Day grew in popularity in the following years. It soon became a coast-to-coast day of recognition. This prompted the proposal of a federal bill in 2018 that would make the day a statutory holiday. However, it didn’t make it through Parliament before the 2019 election.

A new bill was proposed in the fall of 2020, and it slowly made its way through Parliament. After the discovery of the likelihood of graves of hundreds of children at the site of a former Kamloops residential school in May, 2021, the House of Commons decided to push through the bill much quicker than it might otherwise have taken.

The bill received approval from the House and Senate on June 3rd, 2021. September 30th of that year was the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2025, it falls on a Tuesday. The day is a paid statutory holiday in British Columbia, although not in all provinces (at least not as of 2024).

What Does this Holiday Mean?

The holiday recognizes the awful history of the Canadian residential school system, described as “cultural genocide” by the federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The recognition of the day as a statutory holiday is meant to further stimulate reflection and community engagement. It’s also meant to honour those who had to endure the system, and those who continue to feel its effects today.

The month chosen for the holiday is September, as it’s the month children return to school. For Indigenous communities, this meant the time their children returned to the residential schools.

Read the Truth and Reconciliation Report and its recommendations to learn about Canada’s past regarding its Indigenous peoples. See the TRC.ca website for details.

Truth and Reconciliation Day in BC

The types of ceremonies taking place on September 30th depend on the province. There is no set standard, although orange shirts remain a powerful symbol.

This is a time to learn from our province’s history and hopefully take steps to improve our current society.

The following events typically take place in the Lower Mainland on this day.

Events in the City of Vancouver

BC Sports Hall of Fame – last year, a few days before the statutory holiday, there was a special talk with Terry Felix who is a retired Vancouver Whitecaps soccer player. He was also the first Indigenous player on that team, the Canadian national men’s team, and Canadian Olympic soccer team.
- TIP: The talk ran from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm. During that time, admission to the museum was by donation. While there, you could check out the Indigenous Gallery. There’s lots to learn there about First Nations sports history in BC.
Intergenerational March for Orange Shirt Day – the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Canada holds an educational march on the UBC campus. It runs from 11:45 am until 3:00 pm on September 30th.
Arts Umbrella – a pancake breakfast, book reading and family art project at Arts Umbrella on Granville Island. This event happens from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on September 30th.
Britannia Community Services Centre – an Orange Shirt Day gathering with a walk, food and cultural sharing. It happens at the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre and Grandview Park on September 30th.
Orange Shirt Day at Templeton Welcome Garden – an Orange Shirt Day event from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on September 30th. It features speakers, Earth art, drumming and more at 700 Templeton Drive. Admission is free.
Museum of Vancouver – the museum has free admission on this holiday most years. In the past there have also been a couple of special films.

Events Elsewhere in the Lower Mainland

In addition to the above events in the City of Vancouver, there are other activities online and in places like Coquitlam, Delta, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Port Moody, Surrey, White Rock and elsewhere. See below for details.

Online Event

Building Local Relationships Workshop – in partnership with the Indigenous Perspectives Society, the BC Non-Profit Housing Association has previously hosted an educational webinar in early September (so a few weeks before National Truth and Reconciliation Day). Whether or not this happens in 2025 is to be confirmed.

In Chilliwack

Greendale Acres Farm – Greendale Acres farm offers free admission to all Indigenous peoples from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on September 30th. There’s a Bannock sale from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, plus Pil’alt Canoe Family Sharing of Culture from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Partial proceeds from the day go to Memiyelhtel which is an Indigenous youth mentorship program.
- TIP: Greendale Acres is an amazing, family-friendly place to visit, especially in autumn. It’s home to the Chilliwack Corn Maze. At the attraction you’ll also find giant jumping pillows, farm animals, kids’ play structures and a giant pumpkin pyramid.

In Coquitlam

Finding Your Voice – free one-hour workshops on National Truth and Reconciliation Day at Place des Arts at 1120 Brunette Avenue. The workshops begin at 1:00 pm, 2:20 pm and 3:45 pm on September 30th. Admission is free, but advanced registration is recommended.
Walk for Reconciliation – members of Kwikwetlem First Nation host a public walk along Colony Farm Road at KFN Community Hall a few days before September 30th. The event runs from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

In Maple Ridge

Acknowledging Indigenous Resilience – an event at Memorial Peace Park at 11968 – 224th Street. The free event runs from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm and features drumming, painting, guest speakers and other family-friendly activities.
TIP: After the event, consider exploring the area. There are lots of nice parks in the area. Maple Ridge is also home to WildPlay Element Park which has ropes courses and ziplines. It also offer a 15% discount if you use the promo code VBP15.

In New Westminster

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – the Spirit of the Children Society hosts an event at Queen’s Park South Field at 3rd Avenue on September 30th. There’s dancing, crafts, speakers and food vendors from noon until 3:30 pm.
- TIP: Unrelated to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation but related to BC and World Rivers Days, RiverFest also happens over the weekend leading up to September 30th. Combine your visit to the event at Queen’s Park with a visit to Westminster Quay for RiverFest. Admission to Riverfest is free.

GREASE MUSICAL (with an Indigenous twist)

Grease is a 1978 comedy musical film starring the late Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Bear Grease, however, is a modern remake of the musical, but with an Indigenous twist. It took place at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver on November 8th last year.

Bear Grease takes the 1978 musical, Grease, on an Indigenous joyride, with fashion that slays, humour that tickles your funny bone, and music that makes you groove. It’s a rez makeover for the beloved characters, keeping the authenticity alive while adding a burst of cultural flair.

In North Vancouver

Truth and Reconciliation Day – special activities at the Museum of North Vancouver at 115 West Esplanade from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on September 30th. There are gallery tours, readings, games and more. Admission is pay what you can.

In Port Moody

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – educational talks and an art booth at Noons Creek Hatchery (at 300 Ioco Road). The event starts at 11:00 am on September 30th.
- TIP: See our article about the City of Port Moody for ideas on other things to do in the area.

In Surrey

Skookum Surrey National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – an event with drumming, tea and bannock at Holland Park a few days before September 30th. It begins at 3:00 pm and runs for two hours.
- TIP: See our article about the City of Surrey to ideas on other things to do in the area.

In Whistler

SLCC Activities – admission is free to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre on September 30th. There are also special exhibitions, guest speakers, crafts and more to enjoy.

In White Rock

Walk for Reconciliation – the fifth annual Walk for Truth and Reconciliation takes place on September 30th. It begins at Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Memorial Plaza and makes its way to Semiahmoo Park. There are also performances, market vendors, speakers, free lunch and other activities.

Event in Vancouver Video

The following video is of the event marking Truth and Reconciliation Day in downtown Vancouver in 2021. It took place outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, which is also known simply as the “North Plaza.”

Other Information

Vancouver’s Best Places recognizes that it, and the City of Vancouver, are on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Coast Salish Nations. We also recognize that the Lower Mainland is on the unceded ancestral territories of many other Indigenous nations as well and we are thankful for being able to live and operate on these lands.

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