National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

HVH recognizes that September 30th, 2022, marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Please join us throughout the week of September 26th- 30th in wearing orange as an act of solidarity, awareness, and remembrance.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots initiative that honours the children and survivors of residential schools and remembers those who did not. The day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Source: Government of Canada (2022). National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html