National Day for Truth and Reconciliation APF Canada Statement

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada supports Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and is committed to the process of reconciliation at home and across Asia.

On September 30, as Canadians, we honour residential school victims, survivors, and their families and communities and collectively ensure that public commemoration of the residential school tragedy remains central to the ongoing process of reconciliation in Canada.

The Asia Pacific is home to 300 million Indigenous peoples (70% of the global total) who face their own unique challenges in the quest for truth, reconciliation, and transitional justice. As we take pause to observe Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, APF Canada stands in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and communities across Asia as they work toward building inclusivity and stability in their many nations.

Indigenous populations in Asia
Design: Chloe Fenemore, Senior Graphic Designer

While reconciliation is a complex, multi-faceted process, and deeply personal for many Canadians, we encourage all Canadians to use this day to learn more about Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, attend an event in their own community, watch the live APTN/National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation broadcast Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30, 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET), read the Truth and Reconciliation Report, talk with your friends and family about the sombre legacy of residential schools, or simply take a moment of quiet reflection.

APF Canada will close its operations on September 30 in solidarity and commemoration.