Today, Canada marks its fourth annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
This day is a day of remembrance for Indigenous children who died in residential schools, their survivors, their families and communities. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this day is observed on September 30th of each year and is a federal legal holiday.
From the 1870s to 1997, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend government-funded boarding schools run by the church. The National Truth and Reconciliation Center estimates that more than 4,100 children died while attending school.
Events are being held across the country to commemorate the day, including a 90-minute ceremony in Ottawa.
The Peace Tower and the Senate House will be illuminated in orange throughout the night.
CBC News Chief Correspondent Adrian Arsenault will host a special live coverage of the event from Parliament Hill starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Read here to learn how to join the ceremony on all CBC platforms. Also, read here for all the specials across CBC.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide assistance to survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour service at 1-866-925-4419.
Mental health counseling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or through. via online chat.
