National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Sep 21, 2026
On September 30th, schools across our board will gather to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Below is a list of school-specific activities that will occur throughout the day to learn, reflect and advance reconciliation through education.
| Algonquin Avenue Public School | Reconciliation Week will begin September 28th with Knowledge Keeper Melissa Roberts sharing the teaching of respect with the buffalo. The school community will gather for its Fall Harvest on September 29th with many guests. On September 30th students and staff will wear orange shirts, intermediate classes will make birch bark orange scrafitto pins with artist Helen Pelletier |
| Hammarskjold High School | Hammarskjold High School will come together to recognize Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the experiences of residential school survivors, while showing their collective commitment to reconciliation and remembrance. As part of the day’s activities, Four Directions and Cooking Classes will be making orange cookies for the school community, KZ Lodge will share announcements explaining the meaning and importance of Orange Shirt Day, a drum will be placed in the centre of the field and the SAC will organize a class fundraising challenge in support of the Orange Shirt Society. The class that raises the most will receive a prize. The Hammarskjold community will walk together around the field, demonstrating their collective support for Orange Shirt Day and their commitment to remembering and learning. Through these activities, students and staff will have an opportunity to learn, reflect, and stand together in recognition of the significance of Orange Shirt Day. |
| McKenzie Public School | McKenzie school will recognize September 30 by encouraging students and staff to wear orange and engage in age-appropriate classroom learning related to truth and reconciliation. Students will also contribute to a school-wide orange ribbon display as a visual reminder of the importance of learning, respect, and reconciliation. |
| Nor’Wester View Public School | Grade 7 and 8 Leadership Teams will be leading a school-wide assembly for Orange Shirt Day. Staff and students will gather for a school community photo before classrooms begin art activities. |
| St. James Public School | In the morning, primary students will walk around the school yard. Junior and intermediate classes will walk, take hand drums and some of the students sing. They will carry an Every Child Matters flag and walk down Court Street to Camelot, up Camelot to Algoma, down Algoma back to River St. and then back to the school. When arriving back at the school students will gather and talk about Truth and Reconciliation and why we observe Orange Shirt Day. Students and staff will also wear orange that day. |
