Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) pauses to reflect, remember, and recommit.

We honour the survivors of residential schools, their families, and the children who never came home. We acknowledge the profound pain and generational trauma caused by the residential school system and recognize that reconciliation is not a destination, but a continuous journey—one that calls on each of us to learn, unlearn, and take action.

As the provincial governing body for volleyball in Ontario, we understand that sport is not separate from society—it reflects and shapes the values of the communities we serve. Volleyball can be a tool for connection, healing, and empowerment. It can also be a platform for amplifying truth and advancing meaningful reconciliation.

We are deeply grateful to the many Indigenous athletes, coaches, referees, administrators, parents, leaders, and community members who have shaped our sport—past and present. Your involvement has strengthened our programs, challenged us to grow, and helped us move closer to our commitment of reconciliation through sport.

From grassroots outreach to high performance, from community court activations to volunteer leadership, Indigenous voices and contributions are vital to the OVA’s efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable sport system. We also acknowledge and thank our ongoing partners, including Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) and the Indigenous communities across the province who continue to work alongside us.

On this day of reflection, we reaffirm the following commitments:

• To listen actively and engage respectfully with Indigenous voices and communities;
• To create space within volleyball for Indigenous youth to thrive, lead, and feel a deep sense of belonging;
• To respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, particularly those related to sport (#87–#91);
• To honour Indigenous cultures, knowledge systems, and truths—not just in words, but in practice.

We encourage all OVA members—clubs, coaches, athletes, officials, and supporters—to wear orange, take time to learn, and reflect on how they can be part of reconciliation, not just today, but every day.

Reconciliation is not a checkbox. It is a responsibility we carry together.

With respect and remembrance,

Ontario Volleyball Association