Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events across country

Seas of orange flooded events across the country on Saturday as Canadians gathered to acknowledge systemic oppression of Indigenous people and observe the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Seas of orange flooded events across the country on Saturday as Canadians gathered to acknowledge systemic oppression of Indigenous people and observe the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The federal statutory holiday, adapted from the grassroots Orange Shirt Day, recognizes the abuse suffered by Inuit, First Nations and Metis people at hundreds of state- and church-run residential schools.

Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon, speaking at a ceremony in Ottawa, said that while Canada has moved forward on reconciliation in recent years, it still has far to go.

"It's really important to remember that even though we are making progress on bigger issues, it's not necessarily having an impact at the community level," said Simon, who is Inuk and the first Indigenous governor general.

That appeared to be the case in a remote Indigenous community in northwestern British Columbia, where there was no formal recognition of the day.

Johnny Morven, who manages the only convenience store and gas station at Gitlaxt'aamiks in Nisga'a Nation, said he doesn't close on holidays, even the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

"I honour the loss and I think about my grandmother who went to residential school, but I'm here today."