"Reconciliation is yours to achieve. We owe it to each other to build a Canada based on our shared future; a future of healing and trust."
- The Honourable Murray Sinclair, LLB MSC IPC
15th Chancellor of Queen’s University
Please join us Tuesday, September 30, 2025 as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Event details below are updated regularly.
Background
In 2021, September 30th marked Canada’s first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a newly designated day of remembrance to honour victims and survivors of Canada’s Indigenous residential school system. For years, the 30th of September has been recognized as .
In support of this important moment of reflection and learning, the university will be offering activities and opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn, engage, and act toward advancing reconciliation both on and off campus.
An important aspect of Truth and Reconciliation work is committing to your own awareness and self-education of the complex histories as well as ongoing issues facing Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. With this, we encourage you to use the below resources as well as sources of information you discover on your own, to learn more, each day. Please read and sign the commitment to reconciliation .
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Working Group
The work done on campus leading up to September 30th is lead by the NDTR Working Group. This working group put thoughtful plans and actions toward reconciliation efforts at Queen’s University in a manner that engages community during the week of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and throughout the year.
For more information, please review the NDTR WG Terms of Reference.
Respectful Engagement
Each year, the NDTR Working Group has chosen an area of focus for messaging and events. In 2024, the focus was on education - providing additional learning opportunities while encouraging a personal commitment to your own education and awareness.
This year, the focus will be around respectful engagement - in reconciliation work, with Indigenous community, and as an ally. To help clarify what this may look like, the Office of Indigenous has prepared a guideline. This guide is intended for the entire Queen's community to support your conversations, your interactions, and can also be used to guide your social media messaging during NDTR content.
Events and Learning Opportunities
Please check back in September for more planned events. Events are open to all members of the QU community unless stated otherwise.
To submit your event to this list, please fill out .
Tuesday, September 2 - Saturday, October 11, 2025
Waabanjigaazo | 4th Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition | Union Gallery, Main Space
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Elder Talk session - 'Communication and Relationship Building' with Te ho wis kwûnt, Allen Doxtator, Cultural Advisor
12 pm | Hybrid format |
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Sacred Fire | Agnes Benidickson Field | 1 pm
External Events and Learning Opportunities
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Lunch and Learns
September 22 – 26, 2025 | Open to the Public |
Kingston National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025, from 1:00–7:00 pm at Confederation Park
Orange T-shirts on Campus
This year, t-shirts will be made available the week prior to September 30th, as well as on September 30th for purchase for the Queen's community. The payment method will follow a sliding scale from $5 to $20, please give what you are able to. We will also have a "pay it forward" option available - if you'd like to buy a shirt to leave at the booth for someone else. Payment will be card only.
Donations of various items to support a local shelter will also be accepted as payment at the booths. We will be accepting donations of new hair brushes, children’s and youth slippers, boxes of Kleenex, individually packaged adult toothbrushes, and scent-free body wash, body lotion, and sunscreen. All proceeds and item donations will be donated locally to Indigenous organizations. More information on donations will be available at the booths.
To download the flyer with this information, click here.
| Location | Timing |
|---|---|
| Queen’s Centre Atrium 284 Earl Street |
Tuesday,September 23, 12-3 pm |
| Agnes Benidickson Field (ahead of Sacred Fire event). | Tuesday, September 30, 12-1pm |
For those interested in volunteering at a T-Shirt Pop Up Booth, please .
Resources
The following resources will help provide education, understanding, and awareness on Indigenous history, current issues, etc.
For a full list of resources, please click here.
Indigenous Organizations
The following are local and province-wide organizations, Indigenous communities, etc. for you to be aware of.
To view more organizations, please click here.