National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 
Learn about the history and legacy of the residential school system through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR).

Orange Shirt Society
Discover how Orange Shirt Day was established and more about the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.

Reconciliation Canada
Explore how Reconciliation Canada engages Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. 

Government of Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

Province of British Columbia: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

City of Vancouver: Truth and Reconciliation 

Beyond 94
See the progress on Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. A CBC project that provides up-to-date status reports on each call to action, as well as extensive summaries explaining those status reports.

For more information, ask staff at any VPL location, or contact us at 604.331.3603 or info@vpl.ca.

Discover the stories and explore the perspectives of individuals who attended residential schools and families impacted by the Canadian residential school system.

VPL’s Residential Schools Resource Guide
Learn more about the residential school system and its consequences with these library resources.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights Resource Guide
Discover the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' guide to resources chronicling the residential school system and the stories of children who were sent to residential schools. 

The Children Remembered
Developed by the United Church of Canada Archives, this website gives detailed histories of several Indian residential schools in Canada.

Indigenous Foundations at Arts UBC: Residential Schools
Explore key topics relating to Indigenous histories, politics and cultures.

Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta
Learn about the mass removal of Indigenous children from their homes, supported by a series of government policies, from in the mid-1950s through 1980s.   

Legacy of Hope Foundation
The Legacy of Hope Foundation is a national Indigenous-led organization that raises awareness about the history and impacts of the residential school system and subsequent Sixties Scoop on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote healing and Reconciliation.

Royal BC Museum Learning Resources
Learning resources and information about residential schools for educators. 

The Stolen Generations
An article about the Sixties Scoop from the blog of Métis writer Chelsea Vowel from manitow-sâkahikan (Lac Ste. Anne), Alberta, residing in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton).

For more information, ask staff at any VPL location, or contact us at 604.331.3603 or info@vpl.ca.

Truth and Reconciliation at VPL
Learn about the library’s Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation strategy and actions, Indigenous collections, programming, and more.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Resources for Young People
Explore helpful resources, book recommendations, key terms, programming and more to assist young people in deepening their understanding of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

Resources about Indigenous Peoples and Cultures
Discover the history and diverse cultures of Indigenous communities throughout Canada, including the impact of colonization and the importance of continuing to move toward Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Connection to Kith and Kin Online
Connections to Kith & Kin is a community-led program that provides free support to Indigenous people wishing to explore their family records online.

Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
The Indigenous Storyteller in Residence program at VPL honours Indigenous cultures, fosters intercultural understanding, and highlights the importance of storytelling as a way to learn about and from Indigenous communities in Vancouver. 

For more information, ask staff at any VPL location, or contact us at 604.331.3603 or info@vpl.ca.

Explore the history and diverse cultures of Indigenous communities across Canada, including the impacts of colonization and the significance of progressing toward Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. 

Indigenous Collection at your local branch
Explore books and more at your library to build a better appreciation of First Nations history and culture and learn more about Indigenous Peoples.

Books, ebooks, Audiobooks and Films about Residential Schools:

• Indigenous Book Recommendations
• ebooks and Audiobooks
• DVDs and Blu-Ray Collection
• Indigenous Storytellers in Residence Videos:
  • Joseph Kakwinokanasum (2024)
  • Les George (2023)
  • Eden Fine Day (2022)
  • Kung Jaadee (2021)
• Indigenous Cinema at the NFB
• Indigenous Film Collection 
• Kanopy Streaming
  Note: To search the Kanopy database use the term “Indigenous” in the search field. 

Please note: To access some of these resources, you may need a Vancouver Public Library card. 

For more book, film or audio recording suggestions, see our research guides, ask staff at any VPL location, or contact us at 604.331.3603 or info@vpl.ca.

Find programs, services and resources to help and support Indigenous people and communities.

VPL Indigenous Services Guide

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) Crisis Line

BC211
Click on "Indigenous Peoples" on the home page and enter your postal code to find services in your area or search by a specific type of service.

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)  

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Hope for Wellness Hotline

Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society

Lu’ma Medical Centre

Metis Crisis Line

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society

Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society

For more information, ask staff at any VPL location, or contact us at 604.331.3603 or info@vpl.ca.

Create and Connect: Truth and Reconciliation Day at MONOVA
Museum and Archives of North Vancouver | Sep. 30 | 10:00am

Film Screening: We Were Children 
Trout Lake Community Centre | Sep. 30 | 10:30am & 3:00pm

Truth and Reconciliation Day: NFB Film Screenings
Museum of Vancouver | Sep. 30 | 10:30am (Film: WaaPake (Tomorrow)) & 1:00pm (Film: Our People Will Be Healed)

Orange Shirt Day
Grandview Park | Sep. 30 | 11:00am

Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day
University of British Columbia | Sep. 30 | 11:45am        

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
Queen's Park South Field, New Westminster | Sep. 30 | 12:00pm

Orange Shirt Day
Templeton Indigenous Welcome Garden | Sep. 30 | 2:00pm

Orange Shirt Day
Carnegie Community Centre | Sep. 30 | 2:00pm

For more community event suggestions, ask staff at any VPL location, or contact us at 604.331.3603 or info@vpl.ca.