Let’s make Canada Day a more meaningful and inclusive day for all Canadians—one that acknowledges the past, respects the present, and works toward a more just and equitable future for Indigenous peoples.
We have gathered some information and resources to help acknowledge Canada’s ongoing issues and work towards a better future together.
Read BGC Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commitment Statement
ACTIONS
- Read the TRC’s Calls to Action
- Learn about different perspectives of Canada Day
- Wear an orange shirt in memory of the children who did not survive residential schools
- Donate to an Indigenous organization
- Talk to your children about residential schools
- Read a book or watch a film about one of the many Indigenous cultures on Turtle Island
- Secret Path (Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund)
- Indigenous Cinema (NFB)
- Indigenous Storybooks
- #IndigenousReads (Government of Canada)
- Indigenous Storytellers: Podcasts (University of Toronto)
- Learn about the Indigenous peoples whose land you live on
- Incorporate a land acknowledgement into your event
- Fly the Indigenous Canada flag, designed by Mulidzas-Curtis Wilson
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
- 4Rs Youth Movement
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Personal acts of Reconciliation (CBC)
- Indigenous Ally toolkit (Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy Network)
- Two-spirit and Indigenous Queer Studies (University of British Columbia)
- National Indian Residential School 24-hour crisis line: 1-866-925-4419
EDUCATION
- Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta)
- nisitohtamowin ᓂᓯᑐᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ An Introduction to Understanding Indigenous Perspectives in Canada (First Nations University of Canada)
