Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th is a time to reflect
Each year on September 30 we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation reminds us to reflect on the damaging history and lasting legacies of colonialism and to honour reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Taking time to reflect on the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is an important part of the reconciliation process.
This day is a reminder that we are all responsible to continually learn, reflect, and take meaningful steps towards the health and healing of our communities.
Truth and Reconciliation is a shared responsibility. It belongs to all of us and affects all of us.
Education is the key to walking on this journey of reconciliation.
The Honourable Senator, Murray Sinclair
What can I do as an early childhood educator?
As educators, part of the role we play in the lives of the children in our care is promoting empathy, cultural understanding, and respect for diversity. We encourage you to honour the children, families, and communities affected by residential schools by taking time to reflect and honour September 30 in your program.
- Encourage educators, children and families to wear orange (shirts, scarves, face paint, earrings, pins, etc.). Take a group photo for children to look back on.
- Invite an Elder or family and community members to come in and share a story with the children.
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Display the "Every Child Matters" poster. The poster shares this phrase in all Yukon First Nations languages and is available through the Yukon Native Language Centre.
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Share age-appropriate books that introduce the concept of Orange Shirt Day.
Books for young children
Ages 0-3
Ages 3-5
Ages 4-7
Ages 4-7
Consider these reflective questions from the B.C. Early Learning Framework (2019):
- Educators have an important role to play in educating others about Canada’s history of colonialization. How can I contribute? (p. 89)
- What do I know about Canada’s colonial history and the systemic marginalization and forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples? How can I find out more? (p. 89)
- How might I begin conversations with colleagues, families, and children about Canada’s history of colonialism? (p. 70)
Community events
Public event from
September 23 to 29
Orange Shirt Day
beading event
Yukon University First Nations Initiatives is hosting a week-long beading tutorial.
Date: Tuesday September 23 to Monday September 29, 2025
Time: 11 am to 1 pm daily
Location: The Pit at Yukon U
Orange Shirt Day beading kits are available by donation in the Campus Store.
All donations will be given to the Committee on Abuse in Residential Schools (CAIRS).
Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region is hosting a Gathering in Gratitude: A Reflection of AFN Yukon.
A day of reflection, celebration and family-friendly fun.
As we prepare to close one chapter and begin the next, we invite you to a community gathering rooted in reflection, celebration, and deep appreciation.
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 10 am
Location: Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre
Tickets: on All Events
Formal program from 10 am to 12 pm: King's Throne Medal Presentations, honouring former Yukon Regional Chiefs and acknowledging AFN Yukon Elders Circle and National Council Representatives.
Lunch available. Truth and Reconciliation and other activities for all throughout the day.
For more information see: AFN Yukon Facebook event or AFNYukon Region on Facebook.
In honour of the 5th annual Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Algonquin Nation have united to produce the commemorative gathering Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The special 90-minute live program honours Survivors, pays tribute to the children who never made it home from residential schools and delivers a safe and nurturing environment for reconciliation and healing. The gathering will encompass powerful reflections from esteemed Elders and Survivors as well as moving performances by First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists.
Date: Tuesday, September 30
Time: starts at 12 pm Yukon Time/ 3 pm Eastern Time
Location: tune-in live on radio, television or online (Event is being held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario.)
To watch and listen:
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on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network's channels: APTN, aptnnews.ca; and
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on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's channels: CBC TV, CBC News Network, CBC Gem, the CBC News streaming channel, cbcnews.ca, the CBC News app, the CBC News YouTube channel, ICI TÉLÉ, ICI TOU.TV, Radio-Canada.ca and Espaces autochtones.
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The event will be made available to all Canadian broadcasters to ensure that audiences across the country can tune in and join on the collective journey towards reconciliation.
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The broadcast will also be available for streaming on APTN lumi on October 2.
More information: news release on Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025
Indigenous Book Club:
A conversation with Helen Knott, author of Becoming A Matriarch
Join Cheyenne Kaiser-Conant in conversation with author Helen Knott on her book Becoming A Matriarch, the bestselling follow-up to the award-winning, bestselling debut, In My Own Moccasins.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants are invited to read works by Indigenous authors and then come together to discuss themes and ideas.
You can borrow a print or digital copy of Becoming A Matriarch at your local library.
Learn more about Indigenous Book Club at Yukon Public Libraries and view the Indigenous Book Club's list of books.
Scheduled events
In Whitehorse
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Location: Whitehorse Public Library meeting room
Cost: free
Registration: Seating is limited! Reserve your seat by registering online at yukonlibraries.ca/events or emailing [email protected] or calling 867-667-5239.
To join online using Zoom, email [email protected] for a link.
In Carmacks
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm
Location: Carmacks Library
Cost: free
Registration: Email [email protected] or call 867-667-5239.
Additional resources
Government of Canada information on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Legacy of Hope Foundation - a history of Canada's residential schools.
Video: The truth is hard. Reconciliation is harder (Senator Murray Sinclair)
Video: Reconciliation and Education
ECE Cultural Competency Project - BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
If you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Residential School Survivor Support Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Locally there is the Committee for Abuse in Residential Schools (CAIRS) outreach and counselling for residential school survivors at 867-667-2247.
Consult the listing for: supports for residential school Survivors and their families and communities.