Sept 29th, 2021 – The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation is dedicated to providing support to Indigenous youth to pursue education in science engineering and medicine. We join our donors, volunteers, students, and partner universities in supporting this day on behalf of all Indigenous Canadians.  

The designation of September 30th as a day of reflection is an important step toward reconciliation with Indigenous people.  The day addresses Call to Action 94 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:

“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has unveiled a new Survivors’ Flag to mark the first official National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This commemorative flag was created by Survivors to share their expression of remembrance with the broader public and to honour all residential school Survivors, families, and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. The flag was developed through six weeks of consultation, discussion and collaboration with Inuit, Mi’kmaq, Atikamekw, Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Mohawk, Dene, Nuu-chah-nulth, Secwepemc, and Métis Survivors.