National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025
Disclaimer: The summaries and interpretations provided on this page are unofficial and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS).
Summary
- The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed annually on September 30th in Canada to honor residential school survivors and acknowledge lasting impacts on Indigenous communities
- Economic reconciliation goes beyond traditional economic development and stems from Indigenous creation stories and the role of being caretakers of the Earth
- Indigenous peoples were given original instructions to be caretakers of the Earth, and reconciliation includes remembering these roles
- Reconciliation extends beyond what was done to Indigenous peoples to include what humans have done to the Earth and other nations (animals, trees, etc.)
- Progress in reconciliation has been made over the past 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, but advocates want faster movement
- The public service has a responsibility to maintain progress and work daily for future generations in reconciliation efforts
- If reconciliation efforts are ineffective within the public service, it cannot be expected to succeed in other sectors
- Indigenous data sovereignty and digital inclusion are central to economic reconciliation work
- Indigenous communities must be able to steward their own data and protect their stories and history
- Residential school survivors are becoming fewer in number, and someday there will be no more survivors
- The residential school system attempted to “kill the Indian in the child” but could not kill resilience and spirit
- Economic reconciliation means ensuring Indigenous peoples have access to tools, training, and opportunities to thrive in today’s economy
- Programs like the Indigenous IT Apprenticeship translate reconciliation into real opportunities, skills, and change
- Any modification of reconciliation concepts requires caution to ensure they remain truly Indigenous-led
- Building healthy, reciprocal relationships is key to reconciliation
- Recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples in the past, present, and future are essential elements
Actionable Advice
- Acknowledge the Indigenous territories where you live and work, recognizing the deep history of these lands and peoples
- Honor historic treaties and agreements with Indigenous peoples in your daily practice
- Participate in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events to become allies and supporters
- Advocate for Indigenous voices and what is important to Indigenous communities regardless of your role
- Support Indigenous data sovereignty initiatives that allow communities to steward their own information
- Promote digital inclusion programs that enable Indigenous participation in the digital economy
- Work to address systemic barriers while recognizing and celebrating Indigenous knowledge, innovation, and leadership
- Support programs like Indigenous IT Apprenticeships that create meaningful employment opportunities
- Maintain patience, resilience, passion, and humanity when working toward reconciliation goals
- Exercise whatever influence you have in decision-making processes to advance reconciliation
- Ensure reconciliation efforts within your organization are effective to set an example for other sectors
- Pause and reflect on the territories you occupy and the Indigenous peoples who have lived there
- Use your voice to advocate for change, transformation, and progress in Indigenous-settler relations