This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day on September 30, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is taking time to reflect on the tragic history and ongoing impact of Canada’s residential schools.
Bolstering our knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history and culture is essential to advancing reconciliation. The statutory holiday was implemented as one of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
As the association representing Canada’s private broadcasters, we also recognize the efforts of our members on this day and throughout the year to tell stories from Indigenous communities and ensure that the history and lasting effects of residential schools are reflected in our media.
Leading the way in this is APTN, which is delivering on the TRC’s call to action #85 by continuing to support reconciliation with its programming and media initiatives to educate the Canadian public. On September 30, APTN will be holding a one-hour special commemorative gathering in Ottawa honouring residential school survivors, their families and communities, and the children who never made it home. The gathering will be broadcast simultaneously on the network. You can refer to their National Day for Truth and Reconciliation programming schedule, which begins on September 29, and other related resources on their website.
Many of our radio members are also participating in A Day to Listen, through which more than 540 stations will use the power of radio to inspire people across the country to move reconciliation forward.
Rogers Sports & Media has also published a roundup of programming planned across their sports, news and entertainment platforms here.
Thank you to all our members for amplifying Indigenous stories and voices all year long, and for honouring this important day.