Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Statement of Chief Executive Officer

National Truth and Reconciliation Day is an important day in Canada. It helps us remember that our country's history includes hurting Indigenous peoples who lived here before Europeans came. Indigenous communities have taken care of this land, calling it 'Turtle Island,' for a very long time. So, it's our responsibility as newcomers to help take care of it too. We should also understand why 'Turtle Island' is so special and promise to protect it for the next generations.

One way we can do this is by something called a "land acknowledgment." It's like saying "thank you" to Indigenous peoples for letting us live on their land. Our organization, CBFY, has one that an Indigenous elder in Calgary helped us create. We're putting it in our emails, which is a small but important start. We're also using it in our programs because it's a way to show respect.

On this special day, we're giving our staff a day off. We want them to think about why this day is so important and why Indigenous peoples are a big part of what it means to be Canadian. We also encourage our staff to join in on events and celebrations organized by Indigenous groups in Calgary. This helps us learn more, build connections, and show that we're committed to truth, reconciliation, and a future where everyone feels included in Canada.