Sept. 30, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Fredericton: Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, Long Hall
Saint John: Hans W. Klohn Commons
Please RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 23.
We encourage you to wear an orange shirt as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.
Traditional smudging will be offered at the event.
While in-person attendance is encouraged, a livestream will also be available.
Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This day calls on all of us to remember and honour the generations of Indigenous children, families and communities affected by Canada’s residential school system.
In New Brunswick, many Wolastoqey, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati children were sent to the Shubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia until it closed in 1967. At the same time, thousands of others attended Indian day schools across the province, the last of which closed in 1992. Many children who were taken to residential schools never returned home.
The grief and impacts of this history endure. Recognizing the profound trauma caused by residential schools and honouring all those affected is an essential part of the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also Orange Shirt Day. On this significant day, we wear orange to honour survivors of residential schools and commemorate the children who did not return home.
As an expression of our progress toward reconciliation, we encourage our UNB community to place an orange heart in the windows of residences and offices around our campuses.
Displaying these hearts was an idea put forth by the Indigenous Elders and leaders in our UNB community. This is a gesture to honour the children who never returned home along with the families and communities who are still mourning the lives and childhoods lost to colonial violence.
All faculty, staff and students can pick up an orange heart at the following locations on campus starting on Sept. 21:
If you or someone you know needs support, the following counselling services are available.
Indigenous counselling is available through the Ntulsonawt Wellness Centre at the Mi’kmaq Wolastoqey Centre located in Marshall D’Avray Hall, room 342. Reach out to Nancy Harn, Indigenous wellness coordinator at nharn@unb.ca or call 506‑684‑0166.
Hope for Wellness Helpline: Call 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca for culturally safe support in English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. These services offer confidential, compassionate and trauma-informed support for anyone experiencing emotional distress, thoughts of suicide or other mental health challenges.
If you are facing an urgent or life-threatening situation, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
