Ottawa marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

From Parliament Hill to elementary and secondary schools and university and college campuses, ceremonies and lesson plans were dedicated to honour the victims and survivors of Canada's residential school program.

"Today we gather to honour all those children who did not make it home," said Algonquin Elder Claudette Commanda during a rally on Parliament Hill. "Two-hundred and fifteen little voices woke the country, 215 voices spoke to the world."

From Parliament Hill to elementary and secondary schools and university and college campuses, ceremonies and lesson plans were dedicated to honouring the victims and survivors of Canada's residential school program. 

"This is a day that people should approach almost like Remembrance Day, keeping in mind that it was more likely a child would die in Residential Schools than a soldier would die in the Second World War," said Cindy Blackstock, executive director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.

"So this day is to honour the survivors and the children who were lost."