The Government of Canada has recognized September 30 as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.  This day provides an opportunity for all Canadians to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event. 

Take a look at the list below on how you can celebrate the holiday.

Individual & Community Actions 

1. Organize or join a community awareness evet or fundraiser with friends, family, and your teammates. 
2. Visit a local Indigenous organization, Friendship Centre, community group or museum. 
3. If invited or open to the public, attend local Indigenous cultural events taking place in your community. 
4. Organize a movie night for your community and screen Gord Downie’s  Secret Path, Tash Hubbard’s  ‘nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, or Finding the Secret Path by Mike Downie. 
5. Host an evening of music with Indigenous musicians. 
6. Organize a bake sale or lunch-by-donation, featuring Indigenous recipes, or host a culinary competition and charge per serving to vote on the winner. 
7. On your birthday, consider asking for donations to an Indigenous-led charity instead of presents or cards. 
   For those who prefer not to celebrate their birthday, consider making a donation to an Indigenous-led charity in their name rather than purchasing a card or dessert. 
8. Contact local food trucks and organize a lunch event with a cover charge or a portion of sales collected. 
9. Purchase artwork from a local Indigenous artist and raise funds through a raffle or silent auction for the piece. 
10. Purchase products from Indigenous-owned businesses and raise funds for an Indigenous-led charity through a raffle or silent auction for the items. 
11. Partner with local Legacy Schools or neighbouring businesses and host a block party. 
12. Organize a garage sale, flea market, or green market to sell used clothing and unwanted household items. 
13. Host an open mic night or karaoke event and charge admission. 
14. For those who prefer not to celebrate their birthday at work, consider making a donation in their name rather than purchasing a card or dessert. 

Awareness & Education 

1. Learn the land acknowledgment in your region or develop one of your own in consultation with local Indigenous communities. 
   • Be sure to carefully consider your relationship to the land that you live on and the traditional territories of the Indigenous Peoples who were there for thousands of years before colonization. 
   • Encourage your school, company and/or community to include a daily land acknowledgment as part of morning announcements, meetings, assemblies, and important events. 
   • Use the OVA Land Acknowledgement Guide if you need a starting point! 
2. Research the local First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and the contributions they have made to your community/surrounding communities. 
   • Share your knowledge and spread the word to engage others in the conversation about Indigenous Peoples’ contributions to Canada and the world. 
3. Find out if there was a residential school in your area or where the closest one is located by using the CBC Beyond94 Residential School Map. 
   • For more resources about residential schools visit the Legacy Schools Resources page. 
4. Listen to music made by Indigenous artists, such as Buffy Sainte-Marie, William Prince, Leela Gilday, Mimi O’Bonsawin and more! 
   • Visit ArtistAmbassador.ca for more artists to include in your music rotation. 
5. Study an Indigenous language—especially one that is spoken in your region. 
   • Learn some common words and why it’s important to appreciate and protect Indigenous languages. 
6. Continue your learning journey by visiting resources from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, the Government of Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, and the Government of Canada - Reconciliation