National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for all Canadians to commemorate the history and legacy of the residential school system. It’s a day to honour the resilience, dignity and strength of survivors and intergenerational survivors and remember the children who never came home.
An opportunity for learning and reflection
On the historic site: You’re invited to join us on a journey of self-reflection, highlighting voices and perspectives of Indigenous people on the difficult topic of residential schools. The historic site is offering free admission on September 30.
Online: From September 26 to October 5, access free videos about Canada’s residential school system and the path forward, created by First Nations and Métis leaders and speakers. The link to these videos will be on this webpage.
On site: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Admission: Free
Hours: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Scheduled activities:
- Sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. Start the day with prayer and song led by Troy Monague of Beausoleil First Nation.
- Welcome Ceremony at 8 a.m.
- Land Acknowledgement at 8:05 a.m.
- Raising of the survivor flag at 8:20 a.m. Experience the powerful moment as the Survivor Flag is raised, a symbol of resilience and tribute to those who endured the hardships of the residential school system.
- Speaker Marilyn Hopkins at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Hear the lived experiences of residential school in Ontario, shared by a beloved Elder from our community.
- Indigenous focused guided tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Step into the world of the Wendat people with an immersive tour exploring their traditions and daily life.
- Conversations in the cookhouse at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Learn about traditional Indigenous food practices, ingredients, and cultural connections to the land through a presentation.
- 30-minute Medicine Teachings around the Sacred Fire at 12:30 p.m. Join Fire Keeper and Oshkaawbewis Colton Laramey (also known as Anishinaabe Nowsin) from Wasauksing First Nation with Fire Keeper and Oshkaawbewis Shining Wolf (Zhoonya Myingan) of the First Nations of the Great Lakes Area
- Film screenings – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join us for powerful film screenings that honour Indigenous voices and experiences. Presented by the NFB and Midland Public Library:
- ‘Ninan Auassat: We, the Children’ as the feature film
- Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair
- Holy Angels
- Stories are in our Bones
All-day learning:
- Residential school survivor testimonials: As you walk through historic buildings, hear powerful stories of residential school survivors, bringing their experiences vividly to life through their own voices.
- Sacred fire: Many thanks to firekeepers Anishinaabe Noswin from Wasauksing First Nation and Zhoonya Myinga from First Nations of the Great Lakes Area for overseeing this important connection with the spirit realm throughout the day.
- Bannock, teas and Indigenous foodways: Learn about these valuable traditions and how they have shaped Indigenous identities as you explore historic buildings.
- Learning About the 94 Calls to Action: Explore an exhibit on the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and engage with the path toward meaningful reconciliation.
Restaurant Sainte-Marie open from 11 a.m.
Looking for a place to sit and recharge after your day of learning? Stop for a bite at Restaurant Sainte-Marie!
Online: September 26 to October 5
This free online program offers an opportunity to learn from Indigenous speakers in the spirit of education and awareness, about the pathway to Truth and Reconciliation. No registration required.
Thanks to our partners
Honour to senator Murray Sinclair
Short film | Alanis Obomsawin
2021 | 29 min
As the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Senator Murray Sinclair was a key figure in raising global awareness of the atrocities of Canada’s residential school system. With determination, wisdom and kindness, Senator Sinclair remains steadfast in his belief that the path to actual reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people requires understanding and accepting often difficult truths about Canada’s past and present. Alanis Obomsawin shares the powerful speech the Senator gave when he accepted the WFM-Canada World Peace Award, interspersing the heartbreaking testimonies of former students imprisoned at residential schools. The honouring of Senator Sinclair reminds us to honour the lives and legacies of the tens of thousands of Indigenous children taken from their homes and cultures, and leaves us with a profound feeling of hope for a better future.
Holy Angels
Short film | Jay Cardinal Villeneuve
2017 | 13 min 57 s
In 1963, Lena Wandering Spirit became one of the more than 150,000 Indigenous children who were removed from their families and sent to residential school. Jay Cardinal Villeneuve’s short documentary Holy Angels powerfully recaptures Canada’s colonialist history through impressionistic images and the fragmented language of a child. Villeneuve met Lena through his work as a videographer with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Filmed with a fierce determination to not only uncover history but move past it, Holy Angels speaks of the resilience of a people who have found ways of healing—and of coming home again.
Stories Are in Our Bones
Short film | Janine Windolph
2019 | 11 min 17 s
In this layered short film, filmmaker Janine Windolph takes her young sons fishing with their kokum (grandmother), a residential school survivor who retains a deep knowledge and memory of the land. The act of reconnecting with their homeland is a cultural and familial healing journey for the boys, who are growing up in the city. It’s also a powerful form of resistance for the women.
Please be advised that with the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed on the historic site for this event.
- This event is free but please allocate 10-15 minutes to check in upon arrival.
- Sainte-Marie is a mask-friendly environment. Learn about our COVID-19 policy.
- Smoking or vaping (including marijuana) is not permitted on the property.
- Restaurant Sainte-Marie is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. serving delicious food from Sainte-Marie’s gorgeous patio. Light snacks will also be available for purchase at our gift shop.
- Please note this commemorative program takes place mostly outdoors and, visitors should plan to dress accordingly for weather, terrain and bugs.
16164 Highway 12 East, Midland, ON, L4R 4K8
Parking info
There is ample parking for visitors including those with RVs and buses. Please park in the parking lot provided and make your way to the admissions entrance. We also have bike racks available for cyclists coming from the Tay Trail.
Need more info?
Please contact us at hhp@ontario.ca or (705) 526-7838 if you have any questions.
Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron-Wendat people. In 1639, the Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Indigenous visitors. This community was abandoned and burned down in 1649.
After extensive archaeological and historical research, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is now recreated on its original site, where the mission’s compelling story is brought to life with costumed historical interpreters, demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Located near Midland, on the Wye River, this world-renowned reconstruction offers visitors a unique opportunity to see the earliest Canadian pioneer life through self-guided visits, group tours, interactive education programs, and special events. Complete your experience by exploring our interpretive museum and themed gift shop.
