Hello ACTRA members,
On September 30, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a solemn and vital time to reflect on the painful legacy of Residential Schools in Canada. This day, also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, honours the Survivors, the children who never came home, and the families and communities whose lives were forever changed.
From 1831 to 1996, Residential Schools operated in this country, and it is only in recent years that the truth of this system has begun to be widely acknowledged and taught. As individuals and as a community, we all have a role to play in the ongoing journey toward truth, justice, and reconciliation.
One meaningful way to engage is by attending or tuning in to the live multilingual gathering, Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
When: Tuesday, September 30 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Attend in person on Parliament Hill or watch the national broadcast live
This 90-minute gathering — produced in partnership with APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and the Algonquin Nation — honours Survivors and pays tribute to children who never made it home. It offers space for healing, learning, and shared remembrance. The broadcast will be simulcast on various networks.
I encourage all ACTRA members to take part, reflect, and commit to ongoing learning. Reconciliation is not a single act — it is a continuous process that requires awareness, education, and action.
To support your learning, I invite you to explore these resources:
Let us honour this day not only in reflection, but through meaningful steps toward understanding and change.
Eleanor Noble
ACTRA National President