National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Saturday, September 30, 2023
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for solemn remembrance and reflection. The BCEIA joins fellow British Columbians in commemorating the tragic history and impact of residential schools and in doing so, pause to reflect on what reconciliation really means.
We believe the environment industry has an important role to play in reconciliation and commit to ongoing education, reflection and promoting economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We are committed to learning more about the concrete actions we can take from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
Learn more about the calls to action
There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:
- the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
- apologies by the government
- the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- the creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.
Discover more details
This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Begin your learning journey today.