'This is an awakening': stories of Truth and Reconciliation from across Canada

For the first time ever, Canada will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a day that has been called for in this country for nearly six years. Here are the stories from survivors – stories of abuse, grief, the resilience to overcome, and a sense of pride from all across Canada.

For the first time ever, Canada will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a day that has been called for in this country for nearly six years.

On Dec. 15, 2015, The Government of Canada committed to implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There are 94 calls to action in the final report, you can read all of them here.

Sept. 30 – declared by the federal government to be the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – is the 80th call to action:

We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Marie Wilson, one of three commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said recognizing this day is an important step, as it will serve as an annual marker for Canadians.

"If we slip in our paying attention, if we slip in our efforts, we will be called to attention to take stock of how are we doing – to remember the extreme harms that happened to many in the residential school system, and to acknowledge that it happened because of Canadian laws and policies," Wilson said.

The goal of Canada's policy was to 'kill the Indian in the child.' The effects of that are still being felt in today's generation.