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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 marks the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a time for reflection, to come together in the spirit of Reconciliation and to honour those who have been impacted by Canada鈥檚 residential school system.
SFU鈥檚 events and activities to commemorate Orange Shirt Day will take place during the weeks of September 22 and September 30 across our three campuses. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear orange during this time to pay respect and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities across Canada.
Learn more about SFU's commitment to Uphold Truth and Reconciliation in What's Next: The SFU Strategy.
We call on all those who are settlers on these lands to deepen your understanding of the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, to participate in initiatives happening across the university and consider what commitments and actions you can take to advance Reconciliation.
Here are some ways for you to get involved:
Attend an event
Indigenous Knowledges in Higher Education: A Conversation with the APRU Indigenous & First Nations Knowledges Network
September 23, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. | SFU International | Virtual
Join us for a special conversation with Dr. Noelani Puniwai, Associate Professor of M膩lama 鈥樐�ina at the Kamakak奴okalani Center for Hawaiian Studies (University of Hawai驶i at M膩noa) and Co-Chair of the APRU Indigenous & First Nations Knowledges Network (IFNKN), as we explore how Indigenous knowledges are shaping higher education across the Pacific Rim.
SFU film screening and panel: Honor Thy Mother
September 24, 2025, 5 p.m. | Holy Crow Arts Society and SFU Indigenous Studies | Diamond Family Auditorium
Join us for a special screening of Honor Thy Mother, a documentary project of the Indipino Community of Bainbridge Island. Light refreshments and bannock will be served.
EDUC 400 Honouring Our Children
September 24, 2025, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | First Peoples鈥� Gathering House
As part of Indigenous Education week, EDUC 400 students will engage in a profoundly moving and impactful event about the history and impacts of Indian Residential Schools. This event is being co-hosted by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Office of Indigenous Education, and the PLC Instructors. Attendance is by invitation only.
Orange Shirt Day Drum March
September 29, 2025, 3:30 p.m. | Surrey Campus Administration, Office of Aboriginal Peoples, Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC) | Surrey City Hall
Join us on September 29 as we come together to honour survivors of the residential school system, their families, and to remember those who did not return. All those gathered will walk and drum to Holland Park together in unity and reflection. Once at Holland Park, hear compelling stories, watch Indigenous dancers and listen to traditional drumming while enjoying locally prepared Bannock and tea. Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on the legacy of colonialism and commit to the ongoing process of Truth and Reconciliation.
October 1, 2025, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | School of Sustainable Energy Engineering | SRYC 3240 (Surrey campus)
The SFU School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) is organizing a dialogue focused on the Nexus of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Engineering Practice. Join panelists Pamela Wolf, Assistant Professor of Teaching, UBC and Kamala Todd, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, SFU to hear insights and dialogue that supports curriculum development, foster research grounded in relational accountability and guides SEE鈥檚 ongoing efforts to decolonize academic spaces.
Exhibition: The Island in the Middle of Everywhere
On until October 3, 2025 | Saywell Atrium
The exhibition, 鈥淭he Island in the Middle of Everywhere鈥�, depicts the rich Indigenous history and natural beauty of Xwe鈥檈tay (Lasqueti) Island, a Gulf Island off the coast of British Columbia. Featuring stunning images, moving testimonials and video of island residents and members of Coast Salish Nations, the display showcases the archaeological work of the Xwe鈥檈tay/Lasqueti Archaeology Project (XLAP).
Orange Shirt Day at Grandview Park
September 30, 2025, 9 a.m. | Britannia Community Services
In partnership with the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS), the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre (VAFC), and the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre (VACPC) and Britannia Community Services, gather with Elders and their families on Orange Shirt Day. Meet at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre (1607 East Hastings Street).
Show your support
Orange shirts available at SFU:
- SFU's Bookstore and Spirit Shop (Burnaby campus) are selling Orange Shirt Day shirts for $14. All proceeds will go to the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre which runs Community Indigenous Youth Programs in the Downtown Eastside.
- SFU鈥檚 Vancouver Campus will be offering orange shirts by donation to honour those affected by Canada鈥檚 residential school system. Students, staff, and faculty can pick up their shirts at the Executive Office in Harbour Centre, room 2000 until Monday, September 29. All proceeds will go to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSS).
Download a Zoom background:
Discover learning resources
- Discover the origins of Orange Shirt Day through founder P
- Get educated on the legacy and impacts of Canada鈥檚 residential school system through
- Resources on
- Learn about the work 91泡芙 called to in the further strengthened by the university鈥檚 commitment and support of the
- Register for San鈥檡as Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, a unique, facilitated on-line training program designed to increase knowledge, enhance self-awareness, and strengthen the skills, available to both SFU faculty and staff
- The Faculty of Education is leading the collaboration of the RESPECT project, which aims to develop intervention programs teaching cultural safety and anti-racism for SFU employees
Read Indigenous stories
- Eldon Yellowhorn reclaims Indigenous stories through children鈥檚 books (video)
- The SFU Library has curated a collection of Indigenous-authored books honouring Residential School survivors. on the library website, or visit one of the displays at Burnaby, Surrey or Vancouver campus libraries