The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on Sept. 30, honours the children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. York University will recognize the day by offering events and resources throughout the month for its community members to learn about the history of residential schools in Canada and the lasting impacts on Indigenous community members today.
This year, the York U community is encouraged to reflect and learn through the theme “Four Years of Commemoration: A Call to Action,” encouraging people to ask themselves questions like:
- “What does this day mean to you?”
- “Does acknowledgement of this day inspire action, provide opportunities for teaching and learning?”
- “Are you aware of the Calls to Action and have you taken action in response to the calls?”
- “How is action included in your everyday life/beyond the month of September?”
A selection of films will be screened at all campuses from Sept. 23 to 25. Spaces for these screenings are provided thanks to partnerships with the Harriet Tubman Institute, and Markham and Glendon campus staff. A wider curated list of films and other media for learning are available to community members on the York University National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website.
A hybrid community panel event, featuring the voices of faculty reflecting on their learning journey, will take place on Monday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. Full event details are below, as well as information about Orange Shirt Day.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation film screenings
| Date | Time | Location | Film |
| Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 1 p.m. | Harriet Tubman Institute, 321 York Lanes (Keele) | Hebron Relocation (15 minutes) Honour to Murray Sinclair (29 minutes) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 1 p.m. | Harriet Tubman Institute, 321 York Lanes (Keele) | Muffins for Granny (87 minutes) |
| Thursday, Sept. 26 | 1 p.m. | Harriet Tubman Institute, 321 York Lanes (Keele) | Second Stories: It had to be done (22 minutes) Our Maternal Home (27 minutes) |
| Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 1 p.m. | Presentation Room 2050 (Markham) | Second Stories: It had to be done (22 minutes) Our Maternal Home (27 minutes) |
| Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 1 p.m. | A100 (Glendon) | Hebron Relocation (15 minutes) Honour to Murray Sinclair (29 minutes) |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at York University
Date: Monday, Sept. 30
Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Format: in-person and YouTube live stream.
In-person location: 1014 Helliwell Centre, Osgoode Hall Law School (followed by a visit to nearby Skennen’kó:wa Gamig). Register here.
YouTube livestream: yorku.ca/about/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day
Official 2024 “Every Child Matters” orange T-shirts are available at the York University Bookstore. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led, grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, familial and communal intergenerational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
To learn more, including accessing resources, films, stories, Zoom backgrounds and event information, visit York’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website.