To mark National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, Trent University will lead numerous opportunities to gather, learn, and participate in events designed to foster reflection and action on reconciliation. 

“National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to confront the difficult truths of Canada’s colonial identity and to advance the ongoing work required to heal the lasting wounds caused by residential and day schools. This discussion must also consider the impact of forced relocation, the reserve system, the Indian Act, and other aspects of the colonial agenda that helped shape the nation,” says Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, director of the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University. “Through ceremony, reflection, and dialogue, we honour those impacted and commit ourselves to a future built on understanding, equity, and genuine partnership. This day reminds us that reconciliation is not a one-time act but a continuous journey in which we must all participate.” 

On Monday, September 30, Trent University is hosting a series of in-person events while providing online resources to support learning, reflection, and active engagement in the reconciliation process. The full schedule of events can be found at trentu.ca/truthandreconciliationday. 

“At Trent University, we are deeply committed to reconciliation and understanding the impacts of colonialism and residential schools,” says Julie Davis, vice president of External Relations and Development at Trent University. “This day is an important opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff to come together, reflect on the painful truths of our collective history, and consider how we can contribute to a more positive path moving forward. Reconciliation is a responsibility we all share, and at Trent, we aim to honour that commitment through learning, partnership, and action.” 

A new event this year is an interactive birch bark canoe build and educational display hosted by Bata Library. This hands-on exhibit, running from September 27 to October 25 offers a unique opportunity for the campus community to learn about traditional canoe craftsmanship and its cultural significance. Bata Library has also curated an extensive reading list featuring critical academic works and other insightful resources to deepen understanding and support reflection on Indigenous history and reconciliation efforts.  

Resources for teachers and learners

To further support educational efforts around Truth and Reconciliation, the Trent School of Education, in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning, has developed a suite of online resources to facilitate classroom discussions on the history and legacy of residential schools.  

The University has also created video resources about participating in a smudge and a sacred fire and the purpose and importance of land acknowledgements. These are available through the First Peoples House of Learning website.    

The origins of Orange Shirt Day

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation evolved from Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots movement born out of the 2013 St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event in Williams Lake, BC. Orange Shirt Day honours the story of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at the residential school.  

Wearing orange on September 30 serves as a visual reminder of the children who were taken to these schools and the lasting trauma they endured. 

The Trent Central Student Association and the Trent Durham Student Association will be selling orange shirts featuring a design by local Ojibwe artist Misokomin Kwe (Sabrina Fontaine).  

Event schedule: Durham GTA and Peterborough campuses

Trent’s Durham Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Peterborough campuses will host activities in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30. Key events include: 

Durham GTA Campus

• Community Reflection: 11:30 a.m., Building A Atrium 

• Community Sacred Fire: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tipi behind Building A 

Peterborough Campus

• Sunrise Ceremony: 6:30 a.m., Mindoowag Akiin Traditional Area 

• Community Sacred Fire: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Champlain College Fire Pit 

• Campus Reflection & Moment of Silence: 2:00 p.m., Champlain College Fire Pit 

For the full schedule of events, please visit trentu.ca/truthandreconciliationday.