On September 30, the district will formally observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, alongside Orange Shirt Day. Schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 30, offering time for reflection on the truths of residential schools and our collective history. We encourage everyone to wear orange in recognition of this important day.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This day honours the children who never returned home, along with the survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. Learning the truth about our history is essential to the reconciliation process, and public education continues to play an important role in this journey.

In classrooms across our district, students and staff have been engaging in conversations and learning experiences that foster understanding, empathy, and a commitment to reconciliation.

To learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, please visit the Government of Canada’s official website.

Orange Shirt Day

The Richmond Board of Education reaffirms its commitment to reconciliation and invites all members of our school communities to honour Orange Shirt Day.

The orange shirt is a powerful symbol of the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children through generations of residential schools. By wearing orange, we recognize survivors, remember the children who never came home, and uphold the message that Every Child Matters.