National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The museum will be open 10 am – 5 pm
On Monday, September 30th, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery – National Historic Site recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society honours this day as a crucial component of our daily commitment towards reconciliation.
In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, members of our community who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are welcome to visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery – National Historic Site with FREE admission!
All regular admissions on September 30th will be donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday on June 3, 2021. On this day, we recognize the lasting, harrowing legacy that Canadian residential schools have had—for survivors, the children who never made it home, their families, relations, and community members.
Orange Shirt Day also takes place on September 30—To learn more about this day, visit www.orangeshirtday.org
About Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The IRSSS is a British Columbia-based organization which was started in 1994 to support Residential School Survivors to navigate the court system. Their work has since expanded to provide essential services to Survivors, their families, and those dealing with intergenerational traumas. In more recent years their work now includes assisting the descendants of Survivors and implementing community education measures (both Indigenous & Non-Indigenous).
If you or someone you know is a residential school survivor and are in need of support or services, learn more about their services.
To donate to the Residential School Survivors Society, visit www.irsss.ca/donate.
On this day, we encourage personal reflection, take actionable steps toward reconciliation and take the opportunity to learn, and make connections.
What can you do to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
• Learn about the impacts of the Indian Residential School system
• Read the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Calls to Action PDF
• Research the territory where you live and learn more about territory acknowledgments
• Have meaningful conversations with your family and friends, including children
• Support Indigenous-led community organizations and raise awareness in your community and online
• Wear an orange shirt in solidarity and to encourage conversation
• Visit The Water We Call Home: Re-presencing Indigenous women’s connections to fish, water, and family around the Salish Sea exhibit at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site to learn about Coast Salish / Sahtu Dene artist Rosemary Georgeson’s lifetime research, and decade-long collaboration with Dr. Jessica Hallenbeck.
• Check out the selection of books by Indigenous authors and artists in our Cannery Store.
Learn More:
First Peoples’ Map of BC
First Peoples’ Cultural Council
Support Lines:
24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) crisis line for grief, crisis and trauma counselling: 1-800-721-0066 or visit irsss.ca
KUU-US Crisis Line Society: 1-800-588-8717 or online at kuu-uscrisisline.com