Ways to learn, unlearn and take action this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We recognize that reconciliation isn’t one day of wearing an orange t-shirt, but an ongoing, daily process of decolonization and re-Indigenization.

Together with folks from our Indigenous Advisory Circle, FoodShare’s Indigenous Action Coordinator, Shar-Dey Phipps-Walker, thoughtfully curated this list of resources to read, watch, and listen to, as well as actions to take in support of Indigenous communities. The list was created in 2023, but we’ve made some updates for 2025. 

This year also marks ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its Final Reports and 94 Calls to Action, yet there is still much to reflect on and overcome.

Return to this list frequently, as these actions can be taken any day of the year. A shortened, printable version is available as a downloadable PDF.

• A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015) – Phil Fontaine, Aimée Craft and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

• They Came for the Children: Canada, Aboriginal Peoples, and the Residential Schools (2012) – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

• The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015)

• Where are the children? Healing the Impacts of Residential Schools (2021) – Legacy of Hope Foundation

• Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools: A Memoir (2010) – Theodore Fontaine

• They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School (2012) – Bev Sellars

• Up Ghost River: A Chief’s Journey Through the Turbulent Waters of Native History (2015) – Edmund Metatawabin with Alexandra Shimo

• The Education of Augie Merasty: A Residential School Memoir (2015/2017) – Joseph Auguste (Augie) Merasty

• Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi’kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia (1992/2015) – Isabelle Knockwood

• The Inconvenient Indian (2013) – Thomas King

• The Boy From Buzwah: A Life in Indian Education (2022) – Cecil King

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action

• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

• Calls to Action Accountability: A 2023 Status Update on Reconciliation

• We Were Children: Stories of Two Residential School Survivors

• Stolen Children | Residential School Survivors Speak Out

• Kamloops Residential School Survivors Recall Students Going Missing, Digging Of Graves In Orchard

• “The Stranger” Official Video – Gord Downie – Secret Path

• Truth And Reconciliation Collection on CBC Gem

• A Day to Listen: Amplifying Indigenous Voices

• Telling Our Twisted Histories: Words connect us. Words hurt us. Indigenous histories have been twisted by centuries of colonization. Host Kaniehti:io Horn brings us together to decolonize our minds– one word, one concept, one story at a time.

• Unreserved: A fearless space for Indigenous voices. Join Rosanna Deerchild every Friday for vibrant conversations with our cousins, aunties, elders, and heroes. Rosanna guides us on the path to better understanding our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations.

• 2 Crees in a Pod: A podcast unapologetically creating space for Indigenous resurgence and stories, and honouring Indigenous helping practices and education.

• A Tribe Called Geek: An award-winning media platform for Indigenous Geek Culture and STEM. Their podcast prides itself on its “Indigenerdity.”

When she was six, Phyllis (Jack) Webstad had a brand new orange shirt for her first day of school, bought for her by her grandmother. When she arrived at residential school, she was stripped and her clothes were taken away, including her orange shirt. The shirt was never returned. To Phyllis, the colour orange was a reminder of her residential school experiences: “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.” Learn more about her story.

• Giwaabamin Free Herbal Street Clinic
  

• Turtle Protectors

• Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction

• Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation

• Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin – They Feed The People

• Native Arts Society

• The Cedar Basket

• Mnopgwad Preserves / CharGer Foods

• Wo Nagi Culinary & Consulting

• Deeply Rooted Farmers’ Market (during market season)

• Indigenous Legacy Gathering with the Toronto Council Fire
  Monday-Tuesday, September 29-30, 2025, 7:00 AM-9:00 PM
  Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
  Join us for the Annual Indigenous Legacy Gathering, a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, community, and intergenerational connection, held at Nathan Phillips Square. Experience a day filled with traditional drumming, dancing, and teachings, as well as live performances and ceremonies that honour our shared histories and futures. Explore artisan booths, community services, and cultural organizations showcasing their work and stories.

• Toronto Zoo Recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
  Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 9:30 AM-4:30 PM
  Toronto Zoo Front Entrance, 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON
  While Your Toronto Zoo’s Indigenous Relations team takes the day to quietly reflect, please join Your Toronto Zoo in recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by filling our Front Entrance bridge with orange ribbons. All are welcome to visit the Zoo on September 30th during operating hours to reflect, learn in our First Nation Art Garden (outside Americas Pavilion), and explore!

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in High Park led by Philip Cote
  Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 1:00-2:30 PM
  High Park Forest School, 375 Colborne Lodge Drive, Toronto, ON
  Join us in High Park as Knowledge Keeper Philip Cote leads an afternoon of teachings and ceremony to honour the children of the residential school system and their families.
  The gathering will include an opening presentation, smudge ceremony and sacred fire, medicine walk, and traditional buffalo stew.

• Bata Shoe Museum’s Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration
  Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 7:00-9:00 PM
  Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
  Honouring the experiences of Residential School survivors, join us for a conversation with Ojibwe Kwe author, educator, and Residential School survivor, Karen Chaboyer, on the evening of Tuesday, September 30 to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Tea and bannock will be served provided by Candace’s Catering. Donations from this event will be provided to Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day with the TDSB
  September 22 through September 30, 2025
  At TDSB schools
  Truth and Reconciliation Week takes place September 22-26. Schools and departments will participate in programming by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and create spaces for dialogue, reflection, and commitments to action. The TDSB will mark Orange Shirt Day on Tuesday, September 30th. Staff and students are invited to engage resources from the TDSB’s Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC), which support meaningful learning, dialogue, and collective action. A poster is also available for distribution.

• Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025 with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
  September 22 through September 30, 2025
  Online
  Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025 is a transformative five-day journey for students (grades 1-12), educators, and the broader community to engage with the poignant history and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Explore interactive workshops, witness the profound “The Gifts We Carry” youth empowerment gathering, engage in meaningful dialogues, and contribute to our collective path toward reconciliation. This free, online educational program is brought to you by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Programming is available in English, French, and ASL.

• The Path Here | The Path Ahead with the Downie and Wenjack Fund
  September 22 through September 30, 2025
  Online
  In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the 10th anniversary of the TRC’s final report and its 94 Calls to Action, DWF is offering a week of learning and reflection, including webinars and resources to support your ongoing reconciliation journey. For Truth and Reconciliation Week, we’re asking: What brought us to this moment, and where do we go from here? The Path Here | The Path Ahead invites you to share your vision for the next 10 years of reconciliation and commit to one meaningful action you will take to help move it forward. We’ll be sharing community submissions throughout the week to highlight how we can collectively shape the future of reconciliation.

As many continue to reflect, heal, and confront traumas this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, be aware that there are several resources available for those who may require support:

• Crisis Services Canada, 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645

• Hope For Wellness Helpline for Indigenous peoples, 1-855-242-3310

• Native Youth Crisis Line, 1-877-209-1266

• Anishnawbe Health Toronto

• Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides emotional and crisis referral services at a 24-hour line, 1-866-925-4419

• Talk4Healing, 1-855-554-HEAL, a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario

• Indigenous Community Mental Health Crisis Line (Toronto Community Crisis Service), 416-363-2999 (2 p.m. to 2 a.m.)