National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The new federal holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day, an annual event which was founded in 2013 to honour Indigenous children and learn about the impacts of the residential school system.  

Thanks to the courage of residential school survivors and the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, more people than ever before are reflecting on what Canada will look like when reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples becomes a reality.

In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our partners, including the Caring Society and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, will be engaging in educational activities. We invite readers to learn more by visiting their websites and taking part in these activities and to engage with activities taking place in your local area.

McConnell remains committed to reconciliation, through learning, building relationships and engaging in meaningful action, which includes supporting the work of Indigenous community partners through our Reconciliation focus area. 

We are signatories to The Declaration, a call to action inviting philanthropic organizations to join in moving forward “in the hard work of healing and reconciliation, each in our own way and where possible, together, in our families and communities, in the organizations we work with and belong to, and as a nation.” The Declaration is meant to be signed by philanthropic organizations who wish to make a commitment to using their philanthropic resources in service to Reconciliation. The invitation remains open and we encourage fellow philanthropic foundations to engage in this initiative. 

By working together to address the legacy of our shared history, we are committed to help foster reconciliation and work together towards a more inclusive and resilient society.