This Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Niagara Falls stands with people across Canada to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a day of profound significance—a time to honour the strength of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, the survivors of residential schools, and the children who never made it home. We’re invited to pause, to learn, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to healing and understanding as a nation.
A Note on the Land We Share
Niagara Falls and the surrounding region rest upon land governed by layered treaties, shaped by millennia of Indigenous stewardship. Recognizing this history is a fundamental part of reconciliation, helping us all remember our role in respecting these enduring agreements. Niagara Parks invites the public to reflect and learn about the rich history and culture of Indigenous peoples in Niagara along the Niagara River corridor. This day calls on everyone to acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and work toward respectful relationships with Indigenous communities.
The Story Behind September 30th
This day also marks Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots movement inspired by Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor. When she was just six years old, Phyllis arrived at the St. Joseph Mission Indian Residential School wearing a bright orange shirt from her grandmother. Officials took it from her on that very first day, stripping away a piece of her identity and dignity. Her story has sparked national awareness of the lasting impacts of the residential school system. By choosing to wear orange on September 30th, we honour every child, family, and community affected and add our voices to the call for a reconciled future.
Learn about this movement, the woman behind it, and her orange shirt story: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
How to Participate in Niagara Falls
- Walk for Truth and Reconciliation
- Students, staff, and trustees from Niagara Catholic will be joined by the public for a 2.5-kilometre walk along the Niagara Parkway. The walk begins at the Sandie Bellows Plaza at the Niagara Parks Power Station and concludes at Oakes Garden Theatre. There, a program will feature Dr. Josh Manitowabi, Assistant Professor of Indigenous History at Brock University, who will share insights on the significance of Truth and Reconciliation. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange.
- Where: Sandie Bellows Plaza, Niagara Parks Power Station (7005 Niagara Parkway)
- When: Tuesday, September 30. Gather at 9:30 a.m.; the walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
- Students, staff, and trustees from Niagara Catholic will be joined by the public for a 2.5-kilometre walk along the Niagara Parkway. The walk begins at the Sandie Bellows Plaza at the Niagara Parks Power Station and concludes at Oakes Garden Theatre. There, a program will feature Dr. Josh Manitowabi, Assistant Professor of Indigenous History at Brock University, who will share insights on the significance of Truth and Reconciliation. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange.
- City Flag Raising Ceremony
- Join Mayor Jim Diodati, City Council, and community members as we raise the “Every Child Matters” flag and lower it to half-staff. We encourage everyone to wear orange.
- Where: Rosberg Flag Poles at City Hall (4310 Queen Street)
- When: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
- Join Mayor Jim Diodati, City Council, and community members as we raise the “Every Child Matters” flag and lower it to half-staff. We encourage everyone to wear orange.
- Special Falls Illumination
- In a powerful visual tribute, the Niagara Falls illumination will glow orange for 15 minutes at the top of each hour, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
- Indigenous Cultural Experiences Nearby
- Tours & Memorials: Dive deeper with the Heritage & Legacy Tour to learn about treaties and the role of First Nations in the War of 1812 (email [email protected]). Visit the powerful Landscape of Nations memorial at Queenston Heights, or take a self-guided journey with the Rekindling All Our Relations audio tour through the beautiful Niagara Glen.
- National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation – Online Learning
- From September 22–26, 2025, tune in for daily virtual “Lunch & Learn” sessions. These 40–50 minute webinars are available in English, French, and ASL and focus on themes of remembrance and actionable steps forward.
- Niagara Falls History Museum
- From September 30th through October 30th, don’t miss the free mini-exhibit, All Good Things are Medicine, by artist Dawn Iehstoseranón:nha. This installation uses sweetgrass, cedar, tobacco, and sage to explore Indigenous relationships with Creation. You can also explore the ongoing exhibition, Empathic Traditions, which highlights thousands of years of Indigenous presence in Niagara through artifacts and art.
Finding Support and Further Resources
- Crisis Support: National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- To Learn More: Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action; National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation; Legacy of Hope Foundation.
- Local Indigenous Organizations: Niagara Regional Native Centre; Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre; Niagara Chapter Native Women; Niagara Region Métis Council; Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle; De Dwa Da Dehs Nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre; Indigenous Health Network (HNHB LHIN).
Ways to Lend Your Support
Consider supporting the ongoing work of reconciliation with a donation to organizations like the Legacy of Hope Foundation, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, or the Indian Residential School Survivor Society.
Your Questions Answered
It’s a federal holiday to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. It ensures this painful history remains a part of our national conversation and reconciliation efforts.
The orange shirt comes from Phyllis Webstad’s story, symbolizing the loss of dignity and identity. Wearing one is a visual pledge to honour survivors and remember the children who were taken.
Look for the community walk from the Power Station, the flag raising at City Hall, the special Falls illumination starting at 7:00 p.m., museum exhibits, and online learning sessions.
Seek out Indigenous-led organizations and events, learn about local treaties and history, and explore the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Donations to the foundations listed above make a direct impact.
Great starting points include the Landscape of Nations memorial at Queenston Heights, the Rekindling All Our Relations audio tour at Niagara Glen, and the Empathic Traditions exhibit at the Niagara Falls History Museum.
For more information on Niagara’s indigenous culture, visit niagaraparks.com.