2024 Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Commemoration

Honour the experiences of residential school survivors by joining a University-wide event to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. Students, librarians, faculty members, and staff can register to attend this event in person or watch the live stream.

Orange Shirt Day has been observed on September 30th annually for several years. In June 2021, the Federal Government passed legislation formally recognizing September 30th as the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.

The commemoration is being held in the Great Hall at Hart House (7 Hart House Circle, Toronto) on Monday, September 30, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30 am.

Agenda

Registration Opens | 9:30 am

Light refreshments will be available

Official Program | 10:00 – 11:30 am

Land Acknowledgement

Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, Vice-President of Student Life, Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association, and Student, Classical Voice Performance, Faculty of Music

Welcome

David Kim, Warden, Hart House

Remarks

Meric Gertler, President, University of Toronto

Remarks

Bill Gough, Acting Vice-President, University of Toronto, and Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough

Keynote Address

Shirley Cheechoo, Canadian Cree Actor, Artist, Filmmaker and Founder of Weengushk Film Institute

Closing Remarks

Wesley J. Hall, Chancellor, University of Toronto

Other ways to participate

Wear an Orange Shirt Day Shirt

All members of the U of T community are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on September 30 in the spirit of reconciliation. Doing so affirms that “Every Child Matters.” You can wear any orange shirt to show your solidarity.

In recognition of Orange Shirt Day 2024 and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives has partnered with the U of T Bookstore on a limited supply of orange t-shirts.

The shirts feature an award-winning design by MJ Singleton, an Ojibwe, two-spirit student from Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation who is studying at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Their design, titled noojimo’iwe, emphasizes the importance of healing the intergenerational trauma of residential schooling by supporting and loving those around you. It portrays a mother holding hands and walking forward with her two children. Above them is a bright sun with contour lines connecting to a floral pattern and designs representing all living things.

All proceeds from the sale of these shirts will be directed to the Orange Shirt Society—no proceeds will go to the U of T Bookstore or the University of Toronto.

Participate Virtually in Orange Shirt Day

We also encourage all U of T community members to use the Orange Shirt Day virtual background and profile icon, featuring MJ Singleton’s design, the week of September 24-30.

Find details and registration for all of the above here.