National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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• Mental health supports available

  The residential school system is a topic that can cause trauma from memories of past abuse. Messages around the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can be an unwelcome reminder to those who suffered hardships through generations of government policies that were harmful to Indigenous Peoples. A 24-hour support line (1-866-925-4419) provides crisis referral services to survivors and their families and explains how to access further health support from the Government of Canada. The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides immediate, culturally safe, crisis intervention support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week through its hotline, 1-855-242-3310, or its online chat at hopeforwellness.ca. The service is available in English, French and, upon request, in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

It is a day to honour and remember the children taken from their families, those who never returned home, and the individuals, families and communities still living with the lasting impacts and trauma caused by the residential school system in Canada. 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.

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action

There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:

• the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
• apologies by the government
• the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.

Funding for community activities and gatherings

Funding is offered to communities and organizations for activities and gatherings for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Canadian Heritage has funded 340 events and gatherings across the country in 2025.

The call for proposals for community-based commemoration activities for 2026 will open in November 2025. For more information, visit the funding web page.

To learn more

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Start your learning journey today.