On September 30, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day calls on us to remember the children who were taken from their families and never came home, to stand with the survivors of residential schools, and to recognize that the harms of this system continue to be felt by Indigenous peoples and communities today. It is also known as Orange Shirt Day, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. The orange shirt has become a symbol of the commitment that Every Child Matters and a reminder that reconciliation is the not the activity of a single day, but ongoing work for all of us.
The Canadian Bar Association is committed to advancing meaningful reconciliation in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. In observance of this day, our National Office will be closed on September 30. Whether you spend the day at your office or at home, there are many meaningful ways to mark it. The refreshed CBA Truth and Reconciliation Legal Companion Guide offers suggestions for observing September 30, both in and out of the office.
This important resource also equips legal professionals with current, practical tools that foster deeper understanding, respectful engagement, and lasting systemic change. It notably features a new section on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), an essential framework for every Canadian lawyer. The full guide can be found here.
The work of reconciliation continues every day. It demands ongoing effort, humility, and a willingness to be held accountable. On this occasion, we at the CBA recommit ourselves to this effort and invite you to join us.
