If you are new to Canada, you may notice many people wearing orange shirts around September 30.
September 30 is both National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Canada. It is a day to honour Residential School Survivors, their families and communities, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the lasting impacts of the residential school system.
For international students and newcomers, understanding why this day matters can help you better understand Canada and Indigenous history.
🧡 Why Do People Wear Orange?
The orange shirt has become an important symbol of remembrance.
Its story is connected to Phyllis Webstad, a residential school Survivor. When she was six years old, she arrived at residential school wearing a new orange shirt. The shirt was taken away from her on her first day and was never returned.
Her experience later helped inspire Orange Shirt Day and the message “Every Child Matters.”
Today, people wear orange on September 30 to remember the children who attended residential schools, honour Survivors and recognize the loss of culture, language and identity experienced by many Indigenous children.
📖 Understanding Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to recognize the history and lasting impact of Canada’s residential school system.
For more than a century, many Indigenous children were separated from their families and communities and sent to residential schools. These schools were part of government policies intended to assimilate Indigenous children and suppress their languages, cultures and identities. The effects are still felt by Survivors, families and communities today.
In 2021, the Government of Canada established September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday to honour Survivors, their families and communities, and remember the children who never returned home.
📍 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events in Vancouver
If you are in Vancouver on September 30, 2026, there are several ways to take part in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
🧡 Orange Illumination
The City of Vancouver will illuminate Vancouver City Hall and the Burrard Street Bridge in orange on September 30 to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Date: September 30, 2026
- Location: Vancouver City Hall and Burrard Street Bridge
- Cost: No admission fee listed
View the City of Vancouver illumination schedule
🎨 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Arts Umbrella
Arts Umbrella on Granville Island will host a morning of Indigenous-led events focused on learning, reflection and engagement. Proceeds support the Urban Native Youth Association and All My Relations Indigenous Society.
- Time: 9:00 AM–12:45 PM
- Location: Arts Umbrella, 1400 Johnston St., Granville Island
- Cost: Pay what you can; suggested donation of $10 per event
Learn more about the Arts Umbrella event
🎭 Where Have All the Buffalo Gone?
UBC Theatre and Film will present a free performance of Where Have All the Buffalo Gone? by Axis Theatre. The play follows two characters through different periods of Métis history and explores Métis experiences, colonization and relationships with the buffalo.
- Time: 4:00–4:50 PM
- Location: Frederic Wood Theatre, 6354 Crescent Rd., UBC Vancouver
- Cost: Free
- Advance seat reservations are available, or visitors can attend at the door.
🪶 Understanding September 30
For newcomers and international students, September 30 is an opportunity to learn about an important part of Canada’s history.
When you see people wearing orange, it represents more than a colour. It is a way to remember the children who attended residential schools, honour Survivors and recognize that Every Child Matters.
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Sources: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Activities, Government of Canada — Orange Shirt Day and Residential School Survivors
