National Gathering in Ottawa to Honour Survivors on Day for Truth and Reconciliation

A national commemorative gathering will take place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on September 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). The 90-minute live program, titled Remembering the Children, is a collaborative production between APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). Hosted on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, the event aims to honour the Indigenous children who never returned home from the residential school system. The fifth annual live commemoration will feature esteemed Elders, residential school Survivors, and Indigenous leaders alongside acclaimed First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists. Performances by Tia Wood, Soleil Launière, Silla, and Adrian Sutherland will highlight the strength and vitality of Indigenous communities. The Department of Canadian Heritage is providing support for the event, which serves as a space for reflection, education, and healing for families and communities affected by the church-run school system. Organisers have invited the public to attend the gathering in person, encouraging guests to bring a pair of children’s shoes to place at the front of the stage as a tribute to those lost. NCTR Executive Director Stephanie Scott stated that the event represents a renewal of a sacred promise to uphold the truth and stand in solidarity with Survivors. The program will be broadcast live at 12 p.m. ET, following a successful reach last year that included 32 television stations and over 150 radio stations. CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard noted that the annual broadcast embodies a commitment to amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives. Beyond the September 30 event, the NCTR is encouraging the public to engage with educational resources year-round to support the ongoing path of reconciliation and to ensure the experiences of Indigenous children are never forgotten.