National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

2026 Events and Initiatives

"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鈥檚 University

Please join us Wednesday, September 30, 2026 as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Event details below are updated regularly beginning late August or early September.

Background

In 2021, September 30th marked Canada鈥檚 first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a newly designated day of remembrance to honour victims and survivors of Canada鈥檚 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鈥檚 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. 

 Download the Guideline for Respectful Engagement in Reconciliation Work 

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.

An event submission form will be provided shortly for your events to be included on this list. 


Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Sacred Fire | Agnes Benidickson Field | 1 pm 

Orange T-shirts on Campus