The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognizes the legacy of residential schools, of which more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forced to attend. These schools operated between the 1870s and 1997. This federal holiday, on September 30, honours the First Nations, Métis and Inuit survivors, their families, communities, and those perished. It also ensures that public recognition of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a valuable part of Canadian history, as we learn about the impact the residential school system had on Indigenous Communities.

In May 2021, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation discovered the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Residential School. More remains have been located and the numbers keep rising as numerous searches continue to take place across the country. 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was initially suggested in June 2015 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, as one of 94 recommendations. The federal holiday was officially established on June 3, 2021, when Bill C-5 was passed.

Take Action – Moose Hide Campaign Day

Thursday, May 16, 2024, marks The Moose Hide Campaign day, a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women, children, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

The inspiration for the campaign came to co-founders Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven in 2011 during a moose hunt on their traditional Carrier territory along the Highway of Tears in Northern BC – where so many women have gone missing or been murdered. Since then, annual gatherings and ceremonial fasts have taken place, and more than two million squares of moose hide have been distributed in thousands of participating communities, schools, and organizations across the country.

Violence against women and children remains an unacceptable reality. Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. More than 6,000 women and children are housed in emergency shelters each night across Canada, seeking refuge from abuse. But violence is preventable. To date, efforts to address the crisis of domestic violence have been led by women and women’s organizations. The Moose Hide Campaign is inspired by the belief that men and boys also need to take action to end violence and develop a culture of healthy masculinity.

To learn about the story of this campaign and ways to support, please visit the Moose Hide Campaign’s YouTube Channel or website.

Truth and Reconciliation in EG

Land Acknowledgement