National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day to honour residential school survivors, remember the children who never came home, and stand with Indigenous communities across Canada.
A Day to Listen is about creating space for Indigenous voices, truths, and experiences. Listening is an active step in reconciliation. By taking the time to hear and understand, we show survivors that their stories matter, we support healing in communities, and we deepen our own awareness of the work still to be done.
This day is not only about reflecting on the past—it’s about shaping the future. Reconciliation requires recognition, respect, and collective action, and it begins with listening.
Here in the Okanagan, the legacy of residential schools is felt deeply. Survivors from communities in and around Kelowna and Penticton were directly impacted by institutions such as the Kamloops Indian Residential School, as well as day schools and systemic policies that attempted to erase Indigenous cultures and languages. Local nations—including the Syilx Okanagan Nation—continue to lead the way in healing, truth-telling, and preserving culture for future generations.
On September 30, we listen. We honour. We commit to reconciliation—together.
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