Understanding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Follow GCReconciliation on Facebook

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 recognizes the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind and the Survivors of these institutions.

The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was held in 2021. The day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which was first honoured in 2013 by the founding non-profit organization, the Orange Shirt Society.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Find out more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Images for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

You can download and share these images to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Please note that when using or reproducing any material available below, you must not change the visuals or text.

Poster

Download the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation poster (PDF 4.8 MB, 8.5 x 11" inches)

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation poster — text version

Poster with orange artwork showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle and a winding path. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30.

Social media

Orange landscape image

Download the orange landscape image (JPG 388 KB, 1200 x 628 px pixels)

Orange landscape image — text version

Image on a textured orange background, with white icons of an eagle, a narwhal, and a beaded flower. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Orange square image

Download the orange square image (JPG 574 KB, 1200 x 1200 px pixels)

Orange square image — text version

Image on a textured orange background, with white icons of an eagle, a narwhal, and a beaded flower. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Orange portrait image

Download the orange portrait image (JPG 577 KB, 1080 x 1350 px pixels)

Orange portrait image — text version

Image on a textured orange background, with white icons of an eagle, a narwhal, and a beaded flower. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

White landscape image

Download the white landscape image (JPG 133 KB, 1200 x 628 px pixels)

White landscape social media image — text version

Image on a white background, with orange artwork showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle and a winding path. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30.

White square image

Download the white square image (JPG 213 KB, 1200 x 1200 px pixels)

White square social media image — text version

Image on a white background, with orange artwork showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle and a winding path. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30.

White portrait image

Download the white portrait image (JPG 212 KB, 1080 x 1350 px pixels)

White portrait image — text version

Image on a white background, with orange artwork showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle and a winding path. Text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30.

Orange story template

Download the orange story template (JPG 1.6 MB, 1920 x 1080 px pixels)

Orange story template — text version

Orange textured background with three white icons across the bottom: an eagle, a narwhal, and a beaded flower.

White story template

Download the white story template (JPG 518 KB, 1920 x 1080 px pixels)

White story template — text version

Image on a white background, with orange artwork showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle and a winding path.

Virtual meeting backgrounds

English virtual meeting background

Download the English meeting background (JPG 3.1 MB, 1920 x 1080 px pixels)

English meeting background — text version

White background with orange artwork in the bottom right corner showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle, and a winding path. In the top left corner, text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Bilingual virtual meeting background

Download the bilingual meeting background (JPG 4.7 MB, 1920 x 1080 px pixels)

Bilingual meeting background — text version

White background with orange artwork in the bottom right corner showing an eagle, a narwhal, a beaded flower, a circle, and a winding path. In the top left corner, text reads: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Journée nationale de la verité et de la réconciliation.

The meaning behind the visuals

The visuals bring together symbols of the 3 Indigenous groups across Canada: the eagle for First Nations, the narwhal for Inuit, and the beaded flower for the Métis. At the centre is a circle which symbolizes unity and the spirit of reconciliation, while the pathway running through it represents the reconciliation journey. The stars symbolize the children who never returned home from residential schools. The orange colour represents truth-telling and healing.

Learning resources

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of residential school Survivors, families and communities are honoured and kept safe for future generations.

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Reports

Reports issued or created by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Reconciliation

Learn how the Government of Canada is working to advance reconciliation and renew the relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

Learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada

Resources to learn more about Indigenous history, languages, cultures, and experiences.

Indigenous history

The history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, reconciliation and more.

Join in the conversation

Related links

Did you find what you were looking for?

What was wrong?

You will not receive a reply. Don't include personal information (telephone, email, SIN, financial, medical, or work details).
Maximum 300 characters

Thank you for your feedback

Date modified: