5th annual Truth and Reconciliation Day marked by events
Posted September 30, 2025 4:00 am.
Last Updated September 30, 2025 9:14 am.
Today is the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a day where Canadians reflect on the legacy of residential schools and remember the survivors and those who never made it home.
The residential school era refers to a period between 1857 and 1996 where 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend church-run, government-funded schools where they were barred from speaking their languages in institutions often rife with abuse located far away from their families and communities.
An estimated 6,000 children died while attending the schools, although experts say the actual number could be much higher.
Sept. 30, known as Orange Shirt Day or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is meant to honour survivors and those who never came home.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney will deliver remarks on Parliament Hill at the Remembering the Children gathering, hosted by APTN, CBC and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Other events are taking place across the country to mark the day, including a legacy gathering in Toronto, a memorial walk in Vancouver, and the Every Child Matters March in Montreal.
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, hundreds are expected to gather at the George-Étienne Cartier Monument at Mont-Royal Park. This is the starting point of the march which is set to begin at 1 p.m.
“We come together in honour of the children found in mass graves, residential school survivors, and their families,” said Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, who are hosting the event. “We invite community members, organizations, and students to stand with us and listen to the wisdom of our powerful speakers.”
In their Facebook post, organizers explained that 300 free Every Child Matters shirts will be given out to marchers.
“We encourage everyone to wear orange shirts and bring their drums as symbols of solidarity,” they said. “Let’s walk together for truth, reconciliation, and healing.”
-This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2025.
