Tuesday, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour Residential School Survivors and to help all Canadians understand this dark chapter in our country’s history and its present-day impacts. Read below to learn about all the ways to get involved.
In 2021, almost one-quarter of a million Indigenous people called Manitoba home, making up 18.1% of the population, and more than 102,000 indigenous individuals live in the city of Winnipeg. It is up to all of us to learn about the origins of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, and to strive for a more just, empathetic, and compassionate society that champions Indigenous rights.
Participate and learn:
- Access this great wrap-up on CTV News for a list of events taking place: Orange Shirt Day: Events taking place in Winnipeg
- Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc.: Annual Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Pow Wow
- Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre: Every Child Matters Gathering (445 King St.)
- Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.: Every Child Matters: A Day of Reflection, Learning and Action (34 Higgins Ave.)
- Main Street Project: Embrace and Support – Walking the Healing Path Together
- CBC will mark the fifth National Day with a lineup of Indigenous-led original programming showcasing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives and experiences across CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, CBC digital platforms, CBC Radio, CBC Music and CBC Listen.
- “Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” September 30 on Parliament Hill (90 minutes)
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): A week of learning and reflection (September 22 to 26) to help us all move toward reconciliation. Watch the recorded events: Lunch and Learns – Truth and Reconciliation Week
- University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada course: Indigenous Canada | University of Alberta (free, online; 12+ hours)
- 4 Seasons of Reconciliation (free, online; 3-4 hours)
- Orange Shirt Society: Programs – Orange Shirt Society
Read:
- 21 Things to Know About the Indian Act – Bob Joseph
- Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality – Bob Joseph
- The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America – Thomas King
- True Reconciliation: How to be a Force for Change – Jodi Wilson-Raybould
- Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Jessica McDiarmid
Visit:
- Agowiidiwinan Centre at The Forks in Winnipeg – Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba
- Orange Shirt Days @ the Manitoba Museum – Manitoba Museum (September 28 to 30: three days of FREE all-day programming focused in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.) Learn about Residential Schools online: Understanding Residential Schools – Manitoba Museum
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights – FREE admission all day and special event: Comfort and Reconcili-ACTION: What is your plan? | CMHR
- WAG Qaumajuq: Three-storey glass vault is filled with thousands of Inuit carvings; free to view in the gallery lobby.
- Fort Whyte Alive: Free admission all day
MAHCP’s Orange Shirt Day Initiative – 2025
This year, MAHCP was proud to roll out our own Orange Shirt design to encourage staff, executive council, and members to demonstrate their support for this valuable cause.
In honour of Survivors, and as a statement of our commitment to strive for equitable and culturally safe healthcare practices, in 2024, we commissioned an original artwork by renowned Ojibway artist Jackie Traverse. The enlarged version of ‘Protect the Medicine’ adorns our office’s entryway walls, and has been applied to prints, orange shirts, and MAHCP thank you cards.
In conjunction with the artwork launch, we asked the artist to recommend her charity of choice. The Member Engagement Committee pledged a $1000 donation to Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, an Indigenous-led crisis shelter for survivors and victims of gender-based violence in Winnipeg.
Special thanks to all members who also donated to Ikwe as a result of this campaign.