September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.

The day originated in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in 2013, inspired by Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, which urged meaningful effort at all levels of government to advance truth and reconciliation.

For most Canadians, this day means attending an event and wearing the colour orange to honour residential school survivors and those who never returned home.

But how can we continue reconciliation year-round, beyond September 30?

Between 1867 and 1996, 140 federally run residential schools existed in Canada.

More than 150,000 children attended these schools, and according to Scientific American, 4,000 known children never returned home.

The search for truth and accountability has continued through activist-led lawsuits, creating the largest class-action settlements in Canadian records. 

Indigenous communities and residential school survivors pushed the Canadian government to acknowledge the past and work towards reconciliation.

In 2008, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to hear survivors’ testimonies and address the lasting impacts of residential schools.

To recognize their experiences and keep their stories in our minds, communities across Canada come together in many different ways.

In Nanaimo, several events take place on September 30. For the last two years, the Snuneymuxw First Nation, the City of Nanaimo, and Ladysmith Public Schools have collaborated in hosting an event for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This year, Nanaimo held its event at Deverill Square Park, starting the day with a blessing by Snuneymuxw Elder Lolly Good before moving into community activities.

The time spent on September 30 is meant to honour residential school survivors and recognize Canada’s past, but it is crucial we carry the intention of Truth and Reconciliation forward with us through everyday actions.

Toni Boer, a learning support coach and Indigenous family liaison with Heritage Christian Online School, shares her personal thoughts about truth and reconciliation in the education system.

“As teachers, we need to be more conscious about doing this. The learning is deeper, and when the learning has depth and meaning, then we are doing our part as educators in truth and reconciliation,” Boer says.

As someone who did not grow up surrounded by culture, Boer shares that teaching students about Indigenous culture is highly craft-oriented.

Crafts, such as building a small dream catcher or a hand drum, can help build connection, Boer says, while emphasizing the importance of not creating tokenism. It’s about connecting the object to a story and fostering a deeper understanding of the culture. 

When asked about what more can be done to continue reconciliation, Boer says that education is key.

“There are so many parts of the residential school story, the Indian Act, Doctrine of Discovery, and other important and life-changing and altering moments in time that brought the Indigenous people to this place and time,” Boer shares.

“People need to stop asking, ‘Why can’t they just get over it?’ And start asking, ‘How can we support you as you get to know yourself again?’”

“For Indigenous youth, the reality of how generational trauma has impacted them can be overwhelming, but also the freedom in truth being told can be freeing and healing.” She then emphasized the role of the next generation of Canadians.

“I believe the non-Indigenous youth have an important role in truth and reconciliation because they are more open to learn and grow. People my age, 50 or older, don’t always see it.”

By continuing to hold space for survivors and listening to their stories, we can help repair the damage the past has caused and begin to heal.

But reconciliation does not end after September 30.

For Crystal Carlson, continuing that work means looking at how Canadians listen and take accountability.

Carlson is of Ojibwa, Cree, and Swedish heritage. 

She grew up on the West Coast and now resides on Gabriola Island, which she describes as “living that beautiful balance between sailing and farming, land and water.”

Carlson is deeply connected to her community and family and is thankful for the lessons they pass down to her. She continues this tradition by raising her five children with a profound appreciation of culture and the land. 

“I think truth and reconciliation sets a precedent for how we can be in relationship with one another. It demonstrates something that goes far beyond the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Truth and reconciliation is asking us to stop being avoidant.”

Carlson expresses that we need to stop running away from problems or pretending they don’t exist because it is damaging to all relationships, whether it’s between partners, within families, communities, the land, and between people and governments.

“I think there is something incredibly powerful about truth and reconciliation saying that even after generations of suppression, people will be heard,” Carlson says.

“Their experiences matter. Their truths deserve to be acknowledged and validated. And that sends a message beyond Indigenous communities too. It shows other minorities and marginalized people that their voices matter too.”

She highlights just how important it is to listen to each other’s stories, not just on September 30, but eternally, opening our hearts to one another.

“If we can learn how to face something this painful without continuing to run from it, we can take that practice into our homes, our friendships, our workplaces, our governments and our communities. We can learn to be in better relationship with one another.”

To Carlson, an apology is not a “one-size-fits-all,” and it simply won’t work for everyone.

“There isn’t one little box we can check and say, ‘Okay, reconciliation is done.’ And there isn’t one Indigenous voice that can tell you exactly what reconciliation should look like for every Indigenous person, family, community, or nation. That’s where self-awareness becomes so important.”

Carlson shares that being self-aware can mean asking yourself how you are showing up in your relationships and what happens inside when someone tells you they are hurt; that’s where real change begins.

She encourages people to reflect on how National Truth and Reconciliation Day makes you feel, and why.

“If we want truth and reconciliation to exist beyond one day a year, I think we have to practice accountability in our everyday lives.”

Reconciliation requires reciprocal relationships—we must be aware that relationships require exchange, responsibility, giving, and care.

“The land teaches us that too,” Carlson says. “We can’t continually take from something without giving back and expect that relationship to remain healthy. The same is true between people.”

“Be curious before being judgmental. Listen without trying to fix, defend, or explain,” Carlson remarks.  

“See people. Hear people. Let them know their experience matters. That’s something we can practice every day.”

September 30 may be a day to slow down and hold space, but that can’t end once the day is done.

Beyond the orange shirt and the events on September 30, Canadians can move forward by listening to Indigenous voices.

Reconciliation will not be completed in one go; it is an ongoing responsibility and duty Canada must continue to work toward every day. 

By acknowledging the land we exist, learn, and grow on—and reflecting on ourselves and our relationships with one another—we can help create conditions for healing and growth where they are needed most.