Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On behalf of York Regional Council and The Regional Municipality of York, we recognize Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today, and every day, we honour the survivors of residential schools and remember the children who never returned home.
For more than 160 years, Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in residential schools that stripped them of their languages, traditions and identities. Many endured profound physical and emotional harm. Thousands never returned home, with more than 6,000 deaths confirmed and many more still being investigated. Canada’s last residential school closed in 1997, making this history recent and its impact felt across communities today.
For many of us, the full extent of this truth is beyond what we can truly understand. Yet we acknowledge this was a reality people lived through. Parents were separated from their children, siblings were forced apart and young lives were changed by fear, disconnection and loss.
York Region remains committed to fostering a community where everyone feels they belong, are welcomed and valued for their perspectives and differences. We acknowledge we reside on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Peoples and we honour their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land.
This day represents a dark chapter in our shared history. It calls for honest reflection, accountability and a commitment to reconciliation. We must continue to learn about the experiences of survivors, understand how these harms continue to affect communities today and contribute to the healing process by supporting Indigenous voices, stories and leadership.
As we reflect on this day, we are reminded that every child matters. Honouring this truth means ensuring all children grow up safe, connected to their cultures and supported in their identities. It is our collective responsibility to help build a future where Indigenous children, families and communities can thrive.
Eric Jolliffe
York Region Chairman and CEO
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Media Contact:
Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71234
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