National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today is not a holiday. It is a call to action.

September 30th, Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, reminds us of the children who never came home, the survivors of residential schools, and the generations of families and communities impacted by systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity.

Orange Shirt Day began from the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken from her at a residential school. 

That shirt symbolized more than clothing; it symbolized voice, identity, and belonging being stripped away.

As a psychotherapist and mental health consultant working in trauma and equity, I cannot ignore the deep parallels between personal trauma and collective trauma:

Both silence voices.

Both disconnect people from their sense of worth.

Both demand intentionality, compassionate and systemic repair.

Reconciliation is not about a single day.

It is about choosing TRUTH every day: in all the spaces we occupy - in our homes, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our places of worship and in our policies. 

It is about committing to equity, healing, inclusion and justice that is lived, not just a checkbox or spoken for the cameras.

Today, I honour the lives lost, the resilience of survivors, and the strength of Indigenous communities who continue to lead the way in healing and who speak out to reclaim their voice.

My question for all of us is this: 

How will you move from remembrance into action?

Because, after all, a national day of remembrance without action, is awareness that does not lead to change.