National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025
September 30th marks Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
On this day, we recognize the painful history of the residential school system and the deep, lasting harm it has caused Indigenous communities. It’s a time to forward our reconciliation efforts to build a better future for all Canadians.
Reconciliation is the process of healing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, which requires public truth sharing and commemoration that acknowledges and amends past and present harms.
We all have a role to play in the ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Special Olympics Canada encourages all athletes, coaches, volunteers, staff and supporters in our community to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, whether through personal reflection or education and awareness activities.
Orange Shirt Day
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her.
On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to raise awareness of the tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors.
Special Olympics Canada’s Commitment to Indigenous Inclusion and Partnership
At Special Olympics Canada, we recognize the importance of building meaningful and enduring relationships with Indigenous communities across the country. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the transformative power of sport. We have already taken steps to promote Indigenous inclusion within our organization and are dedicated to building on this foundation.
We are currently in the beginning phases of this important work. As an organization, we acknowledge that we have much to learn. This journey requires listening, understanding and adapting. We are dedicated to this ongoing process and are committed to making long-term investments to support it.
As we move forward with this work we have three major areas of focus:
• Meaningful Relationships and Collaboration: We aim to build and nurture reciprocal partnerships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and leaders and are committed to co-creating accessible and responsive programs for Indigenous athletes, coaches, and families. These relationships will be built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision of inclusivity.
• Training and Education: We understand that to serve Indigenous communities effectively, we must first educate ourselves. We are dedicated to implementing comprehensive training programs for staff, coaches, and volunteers that will enhance our understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and perspectives. Trainings will influence our approach to programs, prioritizing cultural awareness. We understand that learning is a life-long journey and are committed to providing continuous education opportunities.
• Resource Development: We are in the process of reviewing and updating our existing resources, while developing new ones with a cultural lens that reflects the diverse Indigenous communities we aim to serve.
We know that true inclusion is a continuous journey, and we are prepared to walk this path with our Indigenous partners, guided by their knowledge and experiences.
Together, we will work towards creating a more inclusive Canada for all.
Introduction to the Resource Hub
The SOC Indigenous Inclusion Resources have been developed through engagement and support of an Indigenous Inclusion Advisory Committee which is comprised of Indigenous leaders and Special Olympics leaders from across Turtle Island.
The purpose of these resources is to support Chapters in getting started to build relationships, to engage with Indigenous communities and leaders, and to appreciate some of the cultural context and considerations that will be helpful in supporting Indigenous participants across the Special Olympics system. SOC believes these resources will be living documents and will evolve as we continue on this journey and as we build on our collaboration and our learning.
These resources should be used with the mindset of this being a learning journey, and that these are meant to offer support and guidance, to be used along with flexibility and openness. It is important to build relationships and to ask for guidance from local Indigenous leaders along the way. SOC also recommends that you attend ongoing training and learning opportunities to continue to build understanding, appreciation and competency in how to support Indigenous participants, and to create more culturally inclusive programming.