New statutory holiday to commemorate Indigenous history

The passing of a Federal bill will mark September 30 as National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Previously known as “Orange Shirt Day”, Bill C-369 will make the date Canada’s newest statutory holiday pending the Senate’s approval.

“Orange Shirt Day” had posed as an informal occasion to commemorate the experiences of residential-school students.

The bill intends to ensure the public’s commemoration of the history and legacy of atrocities committed against Indigenous Peoples, which includes the honouring of both residential school survivors, and the survivors, families, and communities of other historical mistreatments.