National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2026
On September 30, BCND joins people across Canada in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
This day honours the children who never returned home, Survivors and victims of residential schools, their families and communities, and the ongoing impacts of the residential school system. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the work of reconciliation and our individual and collective responsibilities to continue learning, listening and taking meaningful action.
We encourage members to take time to learn about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools and to engage with Indigenous-led resources and opportunities for learning.
Truth and Reconciliation Week takes place September 21โ25, 2026, with free educational programming offered through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
BCND has compiled resources to support members in learning, reflection and continued engagement with Truth and Reconciliation.
Films and Documentaries
A number of Canadian films and documentaries offer powerful perspectives on the residential school system, the experiences of Survivors, and its ongoing intergenerational impacts.
- Sugarcane (2024) โ An Oscar-nominated documentary investigating abuse and missing children at St. Josephโs Mission near Williams Lake, BC, and the personal and community reckoning that follows.
- We Were Children (2012) โ Combines archival material and dramatic recreation to tell the experiences of residential school Survivors Lyna Hart and Glen Anaquod.
- Secret Path (2016) โ Gord Downie and Jeff Lemireโs animated telling of the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who died while trying to return home after fleeing residential school.
- Muffins for Granny (2007) โ Indigenous Elders share personal accounts of being separated from their families and their experiences in residential schools.
- Indian Horse (2017) โ Based on Richard Wagameseโs novel, this dramatic feature follows an Ojibway boy through residential school and explores trauma, survival, identity and resilience.
- Bones of Crows (2022) โ A dramatic film and miniseries following Cree matriarch Aline Spears and the effects of residential schools across generations.
- Holy Angels (2017) โ A short National Film Board documentary reflecting on the experiences and resilience of children sent to the Holy Angels Residential School in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta.
Learning Resources
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Orange Shirt Society
- Cultural Safety Learning Resources
- GCIndigenous on YouTube
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- #IndigenousReads
BCND will be closed on September 30 to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will take this time for reflection and action, acknowledging the past and recommitting to creating safer, more inclusive care for all
Saskia Karlen is a third-generation insurance broker specializing in life and health insurance, financial planning, and employee benefits. With a BA from the University of British Columbia, Saskia transitioned from a successful career in marketing to the insurance and financial services industry. She provides personalized insurance solutions and financial planning strategies to individuals and businesses, helping them achieve long-term financial security.
