The Every Child Matters rally and march is taking place in Montreal on Sept. 30

Across Canada, Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to commemorate the victims of the residential school system for Indigenous kids. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, Sept. 30 is being observed in Montreal with the fourth annual Every Child Matters: A Day of Action for Truth and Reconciliation, a rally and march organized by Resilience Montreal and the Native Women’s Shelter with support from the David Suzuki Foundation and the POP Montreal festival.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday by the Sir George-Étienne Cartier statue by Mount Royal, and will feature speakers and performers Kevin Deer, Jeremy Dutcher, Sacred Wolf Drummers, Alex McComber, Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Ellen Gabriel, Barbara Diabo, Maya Cousineau-Mollen and Beatrice Deer. Talks and performances will be followed by a march on Parc Avenue, Sherbrooke and Mansfield to René-Levesque.

“We come together in honour of the children found in mass graves, residential school survivors, and their families. We invite community members, organizations, and students to stand with us and listen to the wisdom of our powerful speakers.

“We encourage everyone to wear orange shirts and bring their drums as symbols of solidarity.”

Organizers note that the procession will pass Parc and Milton, an area where a number of homeless people gather, and encourages attendees to bring food, clothing and other items to offer.

For more on Every Child Matters: A Day of Action for Truth and Reconciliation in Montreal, please visit the event page.

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