Each year, on September 30, we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Wearing Orange
On September 30, people wear orange shirts to honour the children who survived Canada’s Indian Residential Schools and to remember children who did not survive. Orange Shirt Day is based on a story told by Phyllis Webstad about having her new orange shirt taken from her on the first day of residential school. The tradition started in William Lake in 2013 and has since spread to schools and communities across the country.
The purposes of the Orange Shirt Society are to support Indian Residential School Reconciliation, to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of the Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Society activities and finally to create awareness of the concept of “Every Child Matters”.
Find out more about The Story of Orange Shirt Day at the Orange Shirt Society.
What can you do to mark this important day?
- Wear an orange shirt or something orange (if you’re buying a shirt, make sure the proceeds support Indigenous groups).
- Take time to learn more about Canada’s Indian Residential Schools.
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
- Register for the online Indigenous Canada course.
- Register for the online course Hearing Our Voices with CEPD Learning Hub at cepd.nosm.ca
- Talk to children about residential schools and their impact.
- Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
- Support Indigenous-led organizations in their continuing work on this and other work.
- If you are a NOSM University learner, staff, or faculty, plan an event with the guided support of the Indigenous Affairs Unit.
NOSM University Truth Award
Donations can be made in support of the Truth Award for an Indigenous medical student at NOSM University or to the Indigenous Educational Initiatives fund.
As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025, we are called to reflect upon the profound meaning of this day. Truth and Reconciliation is not just a moment but a movement—a commitment to acknowledge the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada and work together to create a more just and equitable future for all.
At NOSM University, Truth and Reconciliation is woven into the fabric of our mission. We have, from our beginning, recognized the importance of honouring Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and communities, particularly in our work to improve access to health care across Northern Ontario. But this journey is ongoing, and we must continue to take meaningful steps forward.
We need your help. This year, our goal is to raise $10,000. Our partners at LCPS Professional Accounting have generously pledged matching donations of $5,000. This means that every dollar you contribute will have twice the impact.
Your support will directly empower Indigenous learners at NOSM University, enabling them to pursue their dreams and make lasting contributions to health care.
There are two ways to support the Truth Award in 2025
- Make a donation below and receive an income tax receipt.
OR
- Purchase the Truth and Reconciliation Orange water bottle for $250.00. You will receive the water bottle and an income tax receipt for $200. In order to purchase the water bottle simply make a $250 donation below. Add your address to the link and we will send you your water bottle.
NOSM University Orange Shirts
NOSM University has created four T-shirts honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the orange shirt movement.
All proceeds will go to the Truth Award; an Indigenous medical student bursary.
Learning Resources
2024 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
On September 30, 2024, NOSM University hosted an event acknowledging the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day with an event of healing and reflection.
A video that composed of interviews of various members of the NOSM U community, followed by a panel of Allied Physicians including Dr. Anawati, Dr. Oyella and Dr. Bryan.
2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
On Sept 29, 2023, NOSM University hosted an event acknowledging National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. It was an event of healing and reflection. This year featured Elder Gene Nowegejick and a group of Indigenous Learners at NOSM University.
2022 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
Listen, learn, and reflect on the impacts of residential schools and the uncovered truths of the unmarked burial sites of Indigenous children at and near Residential Schools locations across Canada.
Health Sciences Library Resources
Indigenous Affairs Resources
Past NOSM U Orange Shirt Designs
Bring The Children Home. It’s Time. (2021)
Bring The Children Home. It’s Time. The artist, Isaac Murdoch, said it is a rendering of what is believed to be hundreds of years old pictograph discovered near the site of the old residential schools in Spanish, west of Sudbury. “Years ago, it was prophesized that a man was going to come to our lands, and he was going to steal our children. He was going to have two serpents living in his body, one in each arm,” said Murdoch. “Each serpent represented a government. It was told that if we tied feathers in the child’s hair, the children would find their way back home.” The pictograph, Murdoch added, was created using white paint – a departure from the red clay paint that is typically seen. “Hundreds of years ago, they actually foretold what was going to happen there. The pictograph is so unique and incredible. Unfortunately, it comes with a sad story,” he said. Murdoch originally created the image used in The Honour Project about three years ago. “It was a friend of mine who wanted to start a project where they would make moccasins to send to the little babies that were taken from their mothers and placed in foster care,” he said. “She asked for an image and I said, I will make an image, but it has to be used for everybody. I took some historical context and kind of contemporized the image, and it took on a life of its own.” The rendering is being used by the Bring Our Children Home initiative that aims to end the pain, suffering, and death that Indigenous children have experienced as a result of their involvement with the Canadian child welfare system. Read more here.
Truth (2020)
This Truth design in support of the Orange Shirt Day campaign was a collaborative creation in house with community consultation of 6 different languages in Northern Ontario of the word Truth. The whole planning group is very please to share this new design. Both designs are available to purchase this year and we have added more sizing options also in response to feedback received that youth sizes are of interest to purchase as well.
The 6 languages used in this year new second NOSM Orange Shirt Day design:
- ᑖᐯᐎᐧᐣ – Cree syllabics
- Debwewin – Anishinaabemowin
- Tâpwewin – Cree
- Tapwe – Michif
- Vérité – French
- Truth – English
Survived. Still Here. (2019)
The artwork created for NOSM’s Orange Shirt Day campaign comes from Isaac Murdoch and says in bold lettering: Survived. Still here. The Orange Shirt Day champions at NOSM hope that the strong statement will give you pause to consider how you can work towards reconciliation in your own life and through your work at NOSM. The art statement, graciously provided by Isaac, explains his vision for the artwork:
It’s no secret the devastating effects the Residential Schools continue to have on individuals, families, and communities. This image is to commemorate the absolute resilience of Indigenous people as they navigate through healing and resurgence for lands. The Lodge shown is filled with a family. It is to show that we have full autonomy as Nations over our children, and when we do, we stop the genocide against Indigenous people. The Heart is Love. The flowers represent growth and traditional medicine. These are both needed on our healing journeys. The lightning bolts signify the power of our lodges and the families that sit in them. When people, lodges, and spirit connect, magic happens. As Indigenous people, we survived and are still here casting medicine across the earth for healing. Isaac Murdoch, Anishinaabe artist and activist.
