What is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | What's open and closed on this day

Introduction

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Blue Shirt Day, in Canada. It’s a day to honor the children and their families who were taken away by the residential school system. The most important thing about this day is to make local communities aware of the horrific experiences that occur in the residential school system.

This is a moment to acknowledge the hardships and violence faced by indigenous communities. National Truth and Reconciliation Day was observed as a federal holiday in 2021 to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action No. 80. Call to Action 80 demanded that the government, together with local people, observe a national day to honor the families of those who lost their children.

Orange Shirt Day:

Orange Short Day was started in 2013 by Phyllis, who says she escaped the residential school system. He was 6 years old when he was taken from his family to St. Joseph’s Mission “school.” Her grandmother gave her an orange shirt to wear on the first day of school, but it was taken away the day before and she never saw it again.

The orange shirt became a symbol of solidarity with the survivors of the residential school because it reminded Phyllis of the horrific experience of herself and other local students like her.

What to do on National Truth and Reconciliation Day 2025?

Show solidarity with the bereaved family and also be a symbol of solidarity by wearing an orange shirt.
Donate to residential school societies and local organizations.
Also be aware of the violence and hardships faced by residential school systems and local communities.
Along with gaining self-awareness, teach it to others as well.

Organizations to Donate to:

Indigenous Women’s Association of Canada
Gord Downey and Chani Van Jack Fund
Toronto Council Fire
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Reconciliation Canada
Indspire
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save the Evidence Campaign

What will remain open and what will be closed on this day?

Government offices and services

All provincial offices, including the P.E.I. Library, will remain completely closed.
Canada Post will not pick up or deliver mail and will remain completely closed.
The Iceland Waste Management Corporation will also not be collecting garbage on this day and will resume collection on Saturday, October 4th.
P.E.I. province to close cannabis and liquor stores

Grocery and retail

Walmart stores in Charlottetown and Summerside are open regular weekday hours because of this day.
Atlantic Superstores are open regular hours.
Kensington Food Basket is open regular hours, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Panda Mart in Charlottetown is also open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sobeys stores across the Island are also open regular hours on 30th september.
Co-op & Foodland stores are open regular hours.
Royalty Crossing mall is closed for the day.
Confederation Court Mall is closed.
County Fair Mall in Summerside is also closed, thought the Lawtons Drugs inside the mall is open from noon to 5 p.m.