OTTAWA — Canadians across the nation will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday, commemorating the survivors of residential schools and honoring those Indigenous children who never returned home. This marks the fifth consecutive year of this important observance.

Historically, commencing in the 19th century, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities in Canada. These children were sent to church-run residential schools where experiences of abuse, malnutrition, and insufficient healthcare were widespread. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) concluded in its significant 2015 final report that these residential schools were critical components of a state-sanctioned policy of cultural genocide.

Investigations conducted by the TRC documented that between 1857 and 1996, approximately 150,000 Indigenous children attended these government-funded, church-operated schools. Initially, the TRC recorded the deaths of 3,200 children within these institutions. However, experts from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) continue to scrutinize millions of records, indicating that the actual number of fatalities could be substantially higher.

The establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 was one of the key recommendations put forth in the TRC's report. This day aims to foster education, awareness, and ultimately healing concerning the legacy of these residential schools.

This year, CBC/Radio-Canada, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), and the NCTR are hosting an annual event titled "Remembering the Children" on Parliament Hill. The 90-minute ceremony will include speeches from survivors of the residential schools, respected elders, and Indigenous leaders. Performances by artists Tia Wood, Soleil Launière, Silla, and Adrian Sutherland are also included in the event program.

Attendees and participants are encouraged to bring a pair of children’s shoes to place at the front of the stage in honor of the children who attended residential schools. Various other commemorative events are planned across Canada in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Iqaluit.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to address participants at an event in Edmonton. He is joined in his sentiments by Stephanie Scott, the executive director of the NCTR, who stated, “On this day, we gather to honor every child taken by the residential school system and to stand in solidarity with those who survived it. As denialist voices seek to distort the past, our collective responsibility to uphold the truth is more important than ever. Honoring these children means facing our history with unwavering honesty and ensuring that ‘Never Again’ is not just a phrase, but a binding commitment backed by meaningful action.”

Additionally, Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller emphasized that the day serves as an opportunity for both Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous individuals to come together and reflect on the profound legacy left by residential schools. He remarked, “Reconciliation is a responsibility we all share, and by connecting with each other and our history, we can help build a future grounded in understanding, respect, and hope.”

This report was published first on September 30, 2026.