Posted
Thu. Jul. 31/25
Why we wear orange on Sept 30
Annually on September 30, Canada commemorates National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is also Orange Shirt Day.
In 2026, Sept 30 falls on a Wednesday. As a newer occasion—first declared as a federal statutory holiday in June 2021—many of us may still have questions about how best to recognize the day.
Here's some information to get you started, including National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events and resources.
How to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Many people in Canada are still learning what roles we can play in reconciliation. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation sets aside a chance for all of us to learn, to reflect and to explore what reconciliation means.
Let's start from the beginning:
- Why do we wear orange on September 30?
- What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
- What should we, as people living on treaty lands, do on that day?
Why we wear orange: Orange Shirt Day
It has been 10-plus years since the very first Orange Shirt Day, inspired by a story told by Phyliss Jack Webstad in Williams Lake, BC, on September 30, 2013.
As a young child, Webstad had her orange shirt—a special gift from her Grandmother—taken away from her when she first arrived at residential school.
Webstad's efforts to bring to light the devastating impacts of the residential school system that continue to affect countless First Nations has been profound.
We encourage readers to learn more about Orange Shirt Day origins and the ongoing efforts.
Photo:
Kea Mowat
Visitors learn about 5000 year-old Kiix̣in village, on Huu-ay-aht homelands.
Ever since, an Orange Wave of momentum has grown, raising awareness of all the Survivors but also all the children that never made it home from residential schools in Canada.
As a much-needed step the federal government has officially recognized the important need for this conversation and education to occur at the national level.
Photo:
Paul Lavoie
Home to the Tsattine River People or Dane-zaa (Beaver People), Nehiyawak (Cree People), and Dene People, and later, the Métis Nation as well—Grande Prairie’s Indigenous tourism scene is bursting with welcoming opportunities.
Things to do for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Beyond wearing your orange shirt, what can you do on this day?
The Government of Canada, Indigenous Tourism Alberta and Indigenous Tourism BC collectively encourage spending the day in reflection, education, dialogue and action (see the event links below for ideas on ways to engage).
Events & information
On this coming September 30, we hope you will take the time to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Here are a few ways to:
Participate in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024
- In-person and online programs have been led for several years by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Visit their website to learn more.
- For more information on reconciliation in general, check out the resources shared by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation or visit the Government of Canada website.
- Learn about programs offered by the Orange Shirt Society.
- In Edmonton or Saskatoon, you can join in an Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk event, as a fundraiser for the Orange Shirt Society and a way to honour Indigenous ancestors and survivors of residential school
Photo:
Paul Lavoie
Métis Crossing offers visitors the chance to immerse in Indigenous heritage, like this voyageur canoe experience.
On social media, use the hashtag #NDTR and include us at #zenseekeers so we can be part of sharing this journey of learning and growing together.
Experience Indigenous culture in Alberta, BC
For travel experiences that deepen your understanding of Indigenous culture in Canada, beyond our site, you can find more travel information and ideas:
More Indigenous travel & learning
Our ZenSeekers team has been honoured to work with a number of Nations to share with our audience some of the ways that you can travel along the path of reconciliation in such BC and Alberta.
For more ways to engage with Indigenous culture and experiences in Canada, we invite you to please subscribe to our ZenSeekers e-newsletter.
