Truth and Reconciliation Resources

On September 30, we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, to honour the children who never returned home and to stand with Survivors, families, and communities who continue to feel the impacts today.

The orange shirt has become a powerful symbol of remembrance, representing the loss of childhood, culture, and identity, and affirming that Every Child Matters. Wearing orange is a meaningful act of solidarity and a reminder of our collective responsibility to acknowledge this history and commit to reconciliation.

We encourage everyone to take this time not only to wear orange, but also to learn, reflect, and engage with the resources listed below. Exploring these stories, perspectives, and teachings is one way we can move forward together in truth and healing.

Remembering and honoring the children who never returned home from residential schools, and the Survivors who suffered abuse and carry the truth forward.

General Resources

What exactly is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

Learn about the history of Orange Shirt Day — the annual event inspired by Phyllis Webstad's personal experience of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day in the Canadian residential school system.

Important Reports on Truth and Reconciliation

Reports and Calls for Justice, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019)

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Principles of Truth and Reconciliation (PDF)

150 Acts of Reconciliation – Active History

Beyond 94This interactive CBC News website monitors progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action

Native-Land.ca— Native Land Digital (NLD) is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that provides a digital map of Indigenous territories, languages, and treaties globally.

Indigenous Watchdog :This site provides updates on the status of each call to action, including what percentage are complete, not started, stalled or in progress.

Whose Land app

Reconciliation Hub— Orange Shirt Society

Pathways to Truth and Reconciliation — Video

8 Ways to Engage in Truth and Reconciliation

On Campus Resources

First Nation University of Canada

Office of Indigenous Engagement

4 Season of Reconciliation

University of Regina’s Statement in Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Respectful Engagement with Elders — Policy

Indigenous Initiatives by Luther College

ta-tawâw Student Centre

Truth and Reconciliation— Archer Library

RPIRG Alternative Library

Learn

Residential School Timeline

Canada’s Residential Schools: The History, Part 1 Origins to 1939 (PDF)

Canada’s Residential Schools: The History, Part 2: 1939 to 2000 (PDF)

Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action

This interactive map allows you to explore public archival materials related to residential schools across North America.

Creating your own land acknoledgement — webinar

Other Resources

Local Events

Honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation all month long at the Regina Public Library: https://www.reginalibrary.ca/NDTR
Orange shirt day walk and BBQ presented by Reconciliation Regina: https://reconciliationregina.com/osdwalk2023/
There is a Multi-Cultural Music Fusion taking place at the Exchange on Sept. 28^th at 5pm to 10pm. This play is free of charge that includes Indigenous drummers and dancers. https://tourismregina.com/calendar/multicultural-musical-fusion/
Join the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Network for Orange Shirt Day in Regina this September 30th. They are gathering at the mâmawêyatitân centre at 9:00 a.m. for Pipe Ceremony, the program begins at 10:30 a.m. and Lunch is provided at 12:30 p.m. https://mcos.ca/news/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-events-education-opportunities/

Books

Regina Public Library current reading list for reconciliation: https://www.reginalibrary.ca/recommended-lists/read-reconciliation
Explore Regina Public Library’s resources for reconciliation: https://www.reginalibrary.ca/services/reconciliation
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, here is a list of 19 books that can encourage deeper reflection, learning and public dialogue on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. https://www.cbc.ca/books/19-books-to-read-in-honour-of-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-1.7335838
Books by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
Pathways of Reconciliation: Indigenous and Settler Approaches to Implementing the TRC's Calls to Action
Jody Wilson-Raybould - True Reconciliation
Robin Wall Kimmerer - Braiding Sweetgrass
Jody Wilson-Raybould – Indian in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power
Who We Are: Four Questions For a Life and a Nation by Justice Murray Sinclair, which intertwines his journey as a judge, senator, and Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with his personal story and the broader story of reconciliation in Canada.
Words Have a Past: The English Language, Colonialism, and the Newspapers of Indian Boarding Schools
by Jane Griffith

Videos

The Day of the Apology Speeches from the House of Commons on the day of the official apology for Canada's policy of Indian residential schools. Includes responses from aboriginal leaders. Features archival photographs (black and white and colour)

Hear the stories of Indigenous voices through this collection of movies, specials and documentaries by CBC: https://gem.cbc.ca/collection/truth-and-reconciliation
On this website, Garnet will tell you stories from his life in his own voice, in brief videos and a biography. An educator’s guide is also available: Garnet’s Journey: From Residential School to Reconciliation
Switlo: Sheds the Light by Janice G.A.E Switlo. Follow her channel on YouTube for extensive and thorough information on Treaties and History. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERczBsWs310
The Pass System: For more than 60 years, many First Nations were not allowed to leave their reserves without a pass. This documentary, which you can rent for $5, features Nehiyaw, Saulteaux, Dene, Ojibwe, and Niitsitapi elders who talk about their experiences living under the pass system.
Sixties Scoop: In the 1960s and later, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in child welfare systems. Watch this short video to get background information on the Sixties Scoop, then hear from survivors and activists on the ongoing impacts.
Watch Searchers: Highway of Tears, which follows an ex-cop who investigates some of the cases of missing and murdered women along the Highway of Tears, a 724km corridor of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert, BC, where many Indigenous women have been murdered or gone missing.
Mother.Sister.Daughter.

18 stories about how systemic failures have hurt Indigenous families.
Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025 | APTN

This special program seeks to honour Survivors, pay tribute to the children who never made it home from residential schools, and deliver a safe and nurturing environment for reconciliation and healing.

Articles and Publications

Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Recommended Readings on Residential Schools
One of the reports from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was called “The Survivors Speak,” which compiles statements from some residential school survivors.
I am the Bridge: Anti-Racism Education
Answering the Call: A Guide to Reconciliation for Quantitative Social Scientists.

In the summer of 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) delivered a summary of its final report on the history and legacy of Indian residential schools. The commissioners argue that all Canadians have a role to play in the project of reconciliation.

more...
Reconciliation After Genocide in Canada: Towards a Syncretic Model of Democracy.

Despite recent claims by Saul (2008) that Canada’s federal and provincial systems of government, including its justice systems, have been strongly influenced by Aboriginal peoples, this article advances that any influence has been largely coincidental. A detailed critical appraisal of Saul’s work reveals a romanticized glossing over of Aboriginal–settler history rather than a detailed engagement with it.

more...
Self-Determination as the Basis for Reconciliation: Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In Canada, the initial relationship between the Crown and First Nations was a nation-to-nation one. However, this relationship quickly deteriorated. Between 1857 and 1985, the Colonial and federal government passed various pieces of legislation with strong assimilation intentions.

more...
Intersections of Indigenous and Environmental History in Canada

An historiographical approach to examining issues related to decolonizing research practices that privilege Indigenous perspectives, differing cultural views of resources and the environment, and the colonizing impacts of industrial and extractive practices on Indigenous communities.

more...

First Nations in Canada: Decolonization and Self-Determination—The purpose of this paper is to examine how the geo-political and policy relationships have evolved between First Nations and the colonial regimes involved in the formation of Canada as a nation; to consider how Canada as an evolving colonial entity has used education as a process of colonization of First Nation communities, families, and children; and to regard decolonization and self-determination as processes in education that can derail oppression in First Nation communities.
Decolonizing the Media: Challenges and Obstacles on the Road to Reconciliation—Discusses the 3 calls to action issued by the TRC to the news media regarding the news media’s role in shaping public opinion, including a long history of perpetuating negative stereotypes and under-reporting issues of importance to Indigenous communities.

Saskatchewan not doing enough to address racism, First Nations chief says
Chief Bobby Cameron, who leads the umbrella group the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, took exception on Wednesday to suggestions by Premier Brad Wall that racism is not a problem unique to Saskatchewan.

Listen

Telling Our Twisted Histories with Kaniehtiio Horn
This Place podcast, hosted by Rosanna Deerchild, takes you through 150 years of Indigenous resistance and resilience.
Jeremy explores his identity as someone of Indigenous and white heritage through the Pieces podcast.
Unsettled: Journeys in Truth and Conciliation builds upon the 94 calls to action of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Unsettled: Journeys in Truth and Conciliation - PodcastApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com › podcast › unsettled-journe…
The Comeback Podcast- between two sisters Alicia Morrow and Lexie Obey from Regina and they are members of Peepeekisis Cree Nation, is a podcast for Indigenous excellence, truth-telling, and the leaders shaping tomorrow: https://thecomebacksociety.com/programs
Dig into the significance of Treaty 4 and a check-in on how we are doing as a country at upholding our treaty obligations: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-189-blue-sky/clip/16093799-treaty-4-signed-150-years-ago.-heres-matters
On ConnectR, you can explore tons of resources to watch, listen, read, and support.
You can listen to one girl’s story on the Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo podcast

RPIRG is based in Treaty 4 territory and the homeland of the Métis people. The Nêhiyaw/Cree, Nakawē/Saulteaux, Nakota, Lakota, Dakota and Métis/Michif Peoples continue to be in kinship and practice reciprocity with this land that has sustained them for countless generations.

As staff and board members of RPIRG, we recognize the interconnection between each other, the land, and all other beings, and our responsibility to tend to these relationships - a process captured in the Nêhiyaw concept of Wâhkôhtowin (Woah-COAT-oh-win). For us, this responsibility involves honouring the spirit and intent of treaty, actively working to dismantle and repair the harms of colonialism and white supremacy, and coming together collectively to build a better world for future