September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a day to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, their families and their communities.
At The Jean Tweed Centre, we recognize that reconciliation begins with truth.
We acknowledge the devastating harms caused by the residential school system and other colonial policies that separated Indigenous children from their families, communities, cultures and languages. We also recognize that these harms are not confined to the past. Their impacts continue across generations and remain reflected in inequities, violence, trauma and barriers experienced by Indigenous Peoples today.
For an organization whose work centres women, children and families impacted by trauma and violence, substance use, mental health concerns and housing instability, this truth carries particular responsibility.
Indigenous women, girls and families continue to experience the effects of colonialism and systemic inequities at disproportionate rates. These realities call on organizations like ours to do more than acknowledge history. They require us to listen, learn, examine the systems in which we work, challenge barriers to care and continually strengthen approaches that are culturally safe, trauma and violence informed, and responsive to the people and communities we serve.
The theme of Truth and Reconciliation Week 2026, “Taking Truth to Action,” reminds us that learning is only the beginning. Taking truth to action means asking what we will do differently because of what we have learned. It means listening to Indigenous voices and lived experience, examining our practices and assumptions, supporting Indigenous leadership and knowledge, and understanding that reconciliation requires sustained commitment rather than a single day of recognition. At The Jean Tweed Centre, our commitment is to continue learning and reflecting on how we can contribute to safer, more equitable and more responsive systems of care for Indigenous women, children and families.
We also encourage members of our community to consider how they can take truth to action. Attend a local event or gathering. Learn more about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. Seek out Indigenous voices, perspectives and teachings. Have meaningful conversations with family, friends and colleagues. Consider how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in ways that are respectful, informed and ongoing.
On September 30, we encourage our staff, partners, supporters and community to take time to listen to the stories of Survivors, wear orange in recognition that Every Child Matters, and reflect on the actions each of us can take to advance reconciliation.
Today, we remember the children who never returned home. We honour Survivors, families and communities. And we recognize that reconciliation asks something of all of us, not only remembrance, but action.
Truth must lead to understanding. Understanding must lead to change.