{"id":81981,"date":"2023-09-27T13:00:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T13:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flytographedev.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/honouring-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T23:26:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T07:26:20","slug":"honouring-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flyphotoprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/honouring-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation\/","title":{"rendered":"Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada<\/b><\/h2>\n

In Canada, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday on the Canadian calendar. It is a day for reflection and education, a day to acknowledge history, honour the memory of those who lost children, family, and lives to colonial policy and practice, and to respect those who continue to suffer the effects of cultural trauma. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t live within the unceded territories now known collectively as Canada, it\u2019s important to know the issues around the need for such a day \u2014 because ultimately, what affects one of us, affects all of us.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThis history is not your fault. But it is your responsibility.<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nikki Sanchez<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Resources for Non-Indigenous Allies<\/b><\/h2>\n

As non-Indigenous allies, it is our job to acknowledge the painful truth, have difficult conversations, and support our Indigenous friends, colleagues and communities. Of course, this takes more than a day \u2014 it is a necessary life-long process of actively listening, learning, growing, and accepting that requires humility and courage.<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to wait until September 30 to get started. What can you do right now?<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Learn about decolonization.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If the term \u201cdecolonization\u201d is new to you, you\u2019ll find a lot of resources on the web, but <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> is a quick link and <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> is another.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Educate yourself from the Indigenous perspective.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The University of Alberta offers an online course called \u201c<\/span>Indigenous Canada<\/span><\/a>\u201d, which is a must for gaining basic knowledge and is currently free to audit. (Donations also accepted to provide further quality education.)<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Listen to leaders in the Indigenous community.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Watch Nikki Sanchez\u2019s excellent TED talk, \u201c\u200b\u200b<\/span>Decolonization Is for Everyone<\/span><\/a>\u201d to learn steps you can take to decolonize. Follow her at @<\/span>nikkilaes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Speaker and Activist, Nikki Sanchez. <\/em>Photo: Stephanie in Victoria for Flytographer<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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