Recognize the National day for Truth and Reconciliation with UBC CEIH

Recognize the National day for Truth and Reconciliation with UBC CEIH

September 30th, 2023

What is Truth and Reconciliation Day/Orange Shirt Day and why is it important?

Truth and Reconciliation Day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is an important observation that happens annually on September 30th. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the historical and ongoing impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous peoples in Canada. Its origins as Orange Shirt Day, were to bring to light the experiences of Phyllis Webster, a residential school survivor, who in 1973 had her brand new orange shirt taken away from her upon arrival to St. Joseph Mission Residential School in British Columbia. The experience of having her clothing stripped away symbolizes the loss of identity and culture that Indigenous children endured in these schools. The Canadian government officially recognized the day on September 30, 2021, where it was designated as National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The importance of this day lies in its historical acknowledgement, prompting all Canadians to educate themselves, to honour survivors and their families, to reconcile the wrongdoings of the past, and to highlight the calls to action and work that still needs to be done to support Indigenous communities, and address the ongoing socio-economic disparities and systemic issues faced by Indigenous peoples.



It is your turn! Take action, check out TRC related events going on in community:


Celebrate TRC at UBC!

Join the Belkin’s Public Programs staff for a Decolonization Tour to explore artworks by Indigenous artists at UBC, which is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. RSVP here: https://ow.ly/B2J650PH0pR

Sept 30th – Join us for an intergenerational march to commemorate Orange Shirt Day (OSD). Members of the UBC community, families and those in solidarity are welcome to participate. The march is intergenerational, and aims to be educational and supportive to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond. Educational activities will allow younger participants to connect with the original inhabitants of the land and plant a seed to continue these conversations about a difficult era in Canadian history at home.

Details here: https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2023/intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day

September 30, 2023

Public Event
All Day Sacred Fire Ceremony

  • From Sunrise (7:10 am) to Sunset (6:53 pm) 
  • xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden
    3461 Ross Drive
    Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 UBC Vancouver

September 30, 2023

Public Event
Orange Shirt Day: StoryWalk®

  • Xwi7xwa Library
    1985 West Mall
    Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 UBC Vancouver

September 30, 2023

Public Event
Intergenerational March

  • 11:45am -2:30pm
  • Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre
    1985 Learners Walk
    UBC Vancouver

October 4, 2023

UBC Staff-Only Session
Weaving Relations: Applying Indigenous Design and Engagement to Your Work

  • 3-4:30pm
  • Online (Zoom, by RSVP)

October 11, 2023

Community Event
In the Midst of Grief We Are Healing: An Affinity Event for Indigenous Staff, Faculty and Students in STEM

  • 12:30-2pm
  • Rooms 5104/5106
    Earth Sciences Building (ESB)
    2207 Main Mall
    Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4


Wellness Resources

Engaging with Indian Residential School histories and legacies can lead to emotional reactions and (unexpectedly) difficult thoughts and feelings. Sometimes these can surface hours, days, or weeks later. This is perfectly normal. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it is important to respect your needs and to be kind to yourself. 

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Toll-Free Line 1 (800) 721-0066

24-Hour National Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419

KUU-US Crisis Line 1 (800) 588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le Lum 1 (866) 925-4419

Indigenous Wellness Program (604) 675-2551 or 1 (866) 884-0888

Canadian Mental Health Association1 (800) 555-8222

HeretoHelp 1 (800) 661-2121

First Nations Health Authority – Mental Health Benefit

Métis Nation BC – Mental Health Services

Kids Help Phone1 (800) 668-6868

Crisis Services Canada 1 (833) 456-4566 or text 45645

First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1 (855) 242-3310


Interested in staying up to to date to CEIH news? Sign up for our newsletter here

< Go back to News