Every September 30, we honour residential school survivors, their families, and their communities, and we remember the children who never came home. 

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are reminded that reconciliation begins with listening to survivors, learning the truth about the residential school system, and carrying that truth into our workplaces and communities. 

We cannot move forward if the harms of colonialism are dismissed or denied. Residential school denialism retraumatizes survivors, fuels anti-Indigenous racism, and creates hostile environments for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis workers. 

Confront denialism 

Truth is a prerequisite for reconciliation, and denialism has no place in our union or our country. Guided by the National Indigenous Peoples’ Circle and through anti-racism training and educational resources, PSAC is helping members understand Indigenous history and rights and challenge harmful rhetoric, so that dignity, safety, and respect are non-negotiable. 

We are also pushing for change through political advocacy, including support for Bill C-254, a private member’s bill that would make residential school denialism a hate crime under the Criminal Code. This is part of our broader commitment to dismantling colonialism and ensuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis workers have the support they need to thrive. 

Reconciliation is a collective responsibility. Become an ally, challenge denialism, and commit to continuous learning to help turn truth into meaningful change. 

Take action for reconciliation 

• Deepen your knowledge: Complete PSAC’s Walking in Our Truth Together to explore Indigenous histories and colonial impacts. 
• Support members: Use PSAC’s Advocacy and Representation on Workplace Racism resources to identify discrimination and provide trauma-informed support. 
• Track our progress: Review the PSAC Anti-Racism Action Plan to see how we are confronting systemic racism. 
• Demand accountability: Hold governments to their commitments under United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Senate report Haíɫcístut: To Turn Something Around. 
• Keep learning: Explore resources from the CLC’s Indigenous Rights and Justice Resource Centre, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Canada History’s Truth Before Reconciliation. 
• Find an event near you. Browse the following activity list of commemorations happening across the country.