Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025
The annual observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) will be observed at Western University on Tuesday, September 30, with events honouring the day spanning throughout September and into October
Western has designated September 30 as a non-instructional day, which means no regularly scheduled classes will be held. This will allow everyone within the learning community to engage with targeted events planned for the day, led by groups across campus and the London area.
While NDTR is one day observed annually, the work of Truth and Reconciliation must be embraced daily by all units to foster meaningful and lasting change.
Please direct any questions to indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca
OII-led NDTR Events
Monday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.Orange Shirt Flag Raising Ceremony at the University Community Centre’s Concrete Beach
- Elders, Indigenous community leaders and campus leaders speaking to the importance of Truth and reconciliation at Western.
- A traditional drumming group during the ceremony
- Open to everyone
Sunrise Ceremony at the Wampum Learning Lodge
- Sunrise Ceremony led by Elder Mike Hopkins
- Long skirts will be admired, but not required
- Breakfast & refreshments to be served after the sunrise ceremony (while supplies last)
- Sacred fire to remain lit until 2 p.m., all visitors welcome throughout the day to pay respects and offer prayers
- Open to everyone
Engaging with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Toolkit (2024)
The Engaging with NDTR Toolkit was updated for 2024. Please review for guidance for better understanding NDTR, leading up to NDTR and new information that was added for last year.
What can students do?
- Amplify NDTR messaging and events on social media from OII and Western Communications, other Western units, & local First Nations and Indigenous organizations;
- Attend events hosted by your faculty/department to learn how the work of Truth and Reconciliation applies to your area of study and future careers
- Wear orange and attend the September 29 Flag-Raising Ceremony and Sept 30 Sunrise Ceremony to show your solidarity
- Ask your leaders how they have actioned the Indigenous Strategic Plan
- Join the Indigenous Student Association as an allied member
- Take an Indigenous Studies course to learn more
What can faculties, departments and support units do?
- Amplify NDTR messaging and events on social media from OII and Western Communications, other Western units, & local First Nations and Indigenous organizations;
- Host discipline-specific NDTR events that support the learning and work of Truth and Reconciliation for your staff, faculty, and students;
- Invite Indigenous speaker(s) to classes, departments or offices to share their perspectives and stories for meaningful engagement opportunities;
- Sponsor exhibits on Indigenous histories, cultures, foods, traditions, leadership & art;
- Review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and Principles for Truth and Reconciliation and Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan from 2016 and identify how they apply to your department or unit;
- Promote Orange Shirt Day for the Flag Raising Ceremony on September 29 and NDTR on September 30 (orange shirts will be available for sale at the Bookstore on campus)
- Inviting staff and/or faculty to complete the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Module available on the Wampum Learning Lodge website.
Additional guidance to inform and support campus initiatives:
- 12 ways to engage in Truth and Reconciliation at Western
- More than Words – A Guide to Land Acknowledgements at Western University
- Working with Indigenous Community members
- Guide for working with Indigenous students
- Indigenous Allyship at Western
- 2024-2025 Annual Progress Report by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives
Additional learning opportunities:
Free Educational Programming – Teachers & Students Grades 1-12
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Pre-Recorded Content: To assist teachers, NCTR is offering Taking Truth to Action, a week-long educational program open to all schools across Canada, that supports free, age-appropriate, education curriculums for students in grades 1–12.
Hybrid Sessions: Hybrid sessions will be hosted in different regions in Canada where a small group of in-person students will join an expert matter speaker for a 20 to 30-minute session that may include a lesson/presentation and/or activity and open Q&A. Classrooms can watch and engage with these sessions virtually and participate in the Q&A.
Youth Empowerment Gathering – September 18 at 11:30 a.m. (ADT)
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
“The Gifts We Carry” is the theme of this year’s 90-minute live educational gathering, celebrating the strengths, stories, and resilience within Indigenous communities. The event honours Residential School Survivors through powerful storytelling, music, dance, and cultural expression. Students will engage with Survivors, Elders, artists, and knowledge-holders, opening meaningful dialogue about the truths of Canada’s residential school system.
Lunch & Learns – September 22 to 26
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
“The Gifts We Carry” is the theme of this year’s 90-minute live educational gathering, celebrating the strengths, stories, and resilience within Indigenous communities. The event honours Residential School Survivors through powerful storytelling, music, dance, and cultural expression. Students will engage with Survivors, Elders, artists, and knowledge-holders, opening meaningful dialogue about the truths of Canada’s residential school system.
Lunch & Learns – September 22 to 26
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Join a compelling series of daily Lunch and Learn webinars that invite participants to critically examine and unlearn the myths of colonial history in Canada. These virtual sessions are open to the public and intended for an adult audience. Each webinar will be hosted via Zoom and streamed live on YouTube. Sessions feature expert speakers delivering 40–50 minute presentations, followed by a moderated Q&A. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French, and American Sign Language (ASL).
Live Broadcast from Parliament Hill – September 30 at 3 p.m. (EDT)
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
In honour of the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), APTN, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, CBC/Radio-Canada and the Algonquin Nation have united to produce a 90-minute multilingual commemorative gathering, entitled Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
