A commemorative flag has been developed to mark the first official National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada on Thursday. 

“Earlier this year, the discoveries of unmarked burials at former residential schools compelled many Survivors to reflect on remembrance — of the experiences they survived and of their fellow students who did not return home,” said Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), in a news release. “The Survivors' flag represents the thoughts, emotions, experiences and hopes expressed by Survivors who have shared their truths about residential schools. The flag affirms commitment to the remembrance of the lives lost through, and the lives impacted by the residential school system.” 

The Survivors' flag was designed following six weeks of consultation, discussion and collaboration with residential school Survivors across the country; Inuit, Mi’kmaq, Atikamekw, Cree, Ojibway, Dakota, Mohawk, Dene, Nuu-chah-nulth, Secwepemc, and Métis. The intent, according to the NCTR, is to share Survivors' expressions of remembrance with the broader public and to honour all Survivors, families, and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. 

Survivors and their communities will be presented with the flag, as requested, to raise on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The NCTR notes, it is also the hope for many of the contributing Survivors that the flag will be incorporated at public events and to make remembrance a habitual part of practice at gatherings. 

“As children, Survivors were told they couldn’t be who they were because they were Indigenous. We were made to believe we were not good enough,” said Wanbdi Wakita, Dakota Survivor and contributor to the Survivors’ Flag. “As a veteran, to be honoured with a flag has special significance. I will bring this flag with me to gatherings and ceremonies. I hope Canadians will also incorporate the flag into their own gatherings in the future to mark remembrance.” 

The flag, and other accessible forms of support, will be made available to the general public soon. 

In addition, the NCTR is encouraging everyone to find a way to participate in the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation by wearing orange, watching national events, or promoting learning at their school or place of work if they are not marking the statutory holiday.