September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). It is a day for all people in Canada—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to recognize the enduring harm caused by colonization, to acknowledge that much healing remains to be done, and to renew a shared commitment to a better future.

The BC Métis Federation (BCMF) invites all British Columbians to take time to remember the legacy of residential schools and to recognize how intergenerational trauma and systemic racism continue to affect Métis, First Nations, and Inuit Peoples today. The day also asks each of us to consider the part we play in moving truth and reconciliation forward.

For those looking to deepen their understanding, BCMF continues to recommend Decolonization and Me: Conversations about Healing a Nation and Ourselves. Published last year by Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, and Métis scholar Kristy McLeod, the book challenges readers to confront denialism, bias, and privilege, and to consider the path forward—both personally and as a nation.

Please note that BCMF’s offices will be closed on Wednesday, September 30, in observance of NDTR, and will reopen on Thursday, October 1.

For those in the Clearwater area, BCMF encourages you to attend the 6th Annual Clearwater Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day. Registration for the dinner and free activities is filling up, so be sure to sign up soon.