Truth and Reconciliation Day
by Staff Editors
(September 29, 2021 – Toronto, ON) Tomorrow is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a new federal statutory holiday, also known as Orange Shirt Day. Many networks are planning special programming, and it should come as no surprise that our national broadcaster, CBC, will provide the widest programming across all its various channels.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, has produced a new broadcast special, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, Insight Productions and Canadian Heritage. This unique one-hour, commercial-free primetime special honours the stories and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples affected by the tragedies of the residential school system in Canada, with musical tributes and ceremonies in Indigenous communities across Canada. The special will broadcast and stream live tomorrow, Thursday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET on APTN, CBC, CBC Gem, ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV.
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 80 not only called for the establishment of a statutory holiday, but it is also an invitation to Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians to continue to reflect on the legacy and true history of residential schools, said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director, NCTR in a media statement. “This day is set aside to honour all the children who survived residential schools as well as those that did not return. We invite everyone across the country to mark September 30 — Orange Shirt Day — by wearing orange and ‘lighting up’ our communities orange.”
As Canada works toward reconciliation and commemorates the children who did not return home, audiences will hear from residential school Survivors, Knowledge Keepers, storytellers and musical artists from Indigenous communities with a focus on Sipekne’katik in Nova Scotia, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in Kamloops, Mani-Utenam in Quebec, Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon, and Carcross, Yukon. The special will broadcast in French, English and includes multiple Indigenous languages.
“It’s been a painful year for Indigenous Peoples,” said Monika Ille, CEO, APTN. “In light of the recoveries of the unmarked graves, and in the pursuit of truth and reconciliation, we must take pause to honour the victims, the survivors, their families and communities. Education is key to reconciliation, and we will continue to be supportive of Indigenous initiatives that encourage truth and reconciliation. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that continue to be affected.”
“CBC/Radio-Canada is honoured to be broadcasting this prime-time special on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” said Catherine Tait, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada . “This new program will help all of us reflect on the past, and hear the voices and stories that are central to the process of reconciliation.”
“We’re incredibly honoured to collaborate with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous communities across the country as we honour this day and all come together to remember and reflect on our past and work toward Reconciliation through partnership and education,” said Lindsay Cox, SVP, Insight Productions.
CBC is marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a full day of programming and content showcasing First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences across CBC TV, CBC News Network, CBC.ca, CBC Kids, CBC Radio One and CBC Music, including National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as mentioned above. This commercial-free, primetime broadcast special, hosted by JUNO Award-winning artist Elisapie, will be followed by a new original documentary from CBC Manitoba, We Know the Truth: Stories to Inspire Reconciliation, that will premiere at 9 p.m. on CBC TV and CBC Gem.
Of special note is the CBC Radio One program, Q. Tomorrow, host Tom Power will talk with Alanis Obomsawin, one of the most accomplished documentary filmmakers in Canada, and one of the most acclaimed Indigenous filmmakers in the world. A video interview with Alanis Obomsawin will also be available.
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Click here for a full list of CBC’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation lineup.
