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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day for all Canadians to reflect on the history and legacy of the residential school system.
The day honours the children who never returned home, and the resilience, dignity and strength of Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history, and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. It's a chance to engage and educate people about our nation’s colonial history and how it has and continues to impact Indigenous communities.
To learn more about Coquitlam’ commitment to Reconciliation, visit coquitlam.ca/reconciliation.
Some City of Coquitlam civic facilities will be closed and some services will be limited on Tuesday, September 30. For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/HolidayHours.
Wear Orange
Before it was nationally designated in 2021, September 30 was an Indigenous-led, grassroots day known as Orange Shirt Day. It marked the beginning of the school year, when Indigenous children were removed from their communities to attend residential schools. The last residential school in BC closed in 1983; the last residential school in Canada closed in 1996. Wearing orange throughout September, and especially on September 30, honours both the Survivors and those who didn’t make it home.
About the Survivors’ Flag
To commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the Survivors’ flag will be raised at Coquitlam City Hall on September 29 until sundown on September 30.
The Survivors’ Flag was created by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Survivors and National Indigenous Organizations. The origin and explanation of the Survivors’ Flag is available on the NCTR’s website.
2025 Events and Learning Opportunities
The City of Coquitlam acknowledges that every individual is at a different stage in their own learning. The City is offering a range of events and information to help support community learning and reflection.