Na-Me-Res Hosts Toronto Gathering For National Day For Truth And Reconciliation
The September 30 Day of Remembrance at Hillcrest Park will centre ceremony, community voices and continued calls for action.
Toronto residents will have a place to gather, listen and reflect on September 30 as Na-Me-Res hosts its fifth annual Day of Remembrance at Hillcrest Park for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Indigenous-run Toronto non-profit says the peaceful community gathering is open to anyone seeking to learn more about the history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada and to honour residential school Survivors, their families and the children who never returned home.
The four-hour program will include a sacred fire, a traditional drumming circle and remarks from Indigenous community members impacted by residential schools. Na-Me-Res also says the gathering will renew calls for action from all levels of government on the work identified through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Na-Me-Res Day Of Remembrance: What To Know
| Date | Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
| Time | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Location | Hillcrest Park, 950 Davenport Rd., Toronto |
| Access | Open to the public |
| Program | Sacred fire, traditional drumming circle and remarks from Indigenous community members impacted by residential schools |
A Day Centred On Remembrance And Truth
September 30 marks both National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The federal commemoration honours residential school Survivors, their families and communities, while remembering the children who did not return home.
The Government of Canada notes that the day is also intended to support public learning about the lasting effects of the residential school system. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday in 2021, following Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
For Na-Me-Res, the Toronto gathering puts that work into a local setting. The program is centred on ceremony and first-hand community voices rather than treating September 30 only as a date on the calendar.
Sacred Fire, Drumming And Community Speakers
Na-Me-Res says the Day of Remembrance will include a sacred fire and traditional drumming circle at Hillcrest Park. Indigenous community members impacted by residential schools will also speak during the gathering.
For people attending, the emphasis is on listening and reflection. Follow any guidance from Na-Me-Res and community leaders during ceremonial portions of the program, including instructions related to photography or participation.
The event is open to people who want to better understand this history, including Toronto residents who may be beginning to learn about residential schools and their continuing effects on Indigenous families and communities.
Steve Teekens On Keeping Indigenous History In The Conversation
Na-Me-Res Executive Director Steve Teekens said the gathering is also meant to keep Indigenous history and present-day challenges in public discussion.
“It is so important that we continue telling the truth about Indigenous history,” Teekens said in the announcement.
He said sharing stories and keeping current challenges visible remains important, and described September 30 as an opportunity for people to stand with Indigenous neighbours and build stronger connections that support equality for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
The Gathering Also Keeps Attention On The Calls To Action
Na-Me-Res says its Day of Remembrance will also provide a platform for renewed calls for governments to continue reconciliation work. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released 94 Calls to Action in 2015, covering areas including child welfare, education, language and culture, health, justice and public commemoration.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation describes the Calls to Action as specific measures intended to address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. They are directed not only at governments, but also at organizations and other parts of Canadian society.
That context gives the Hillcrest Park gathering a forward-looking purpose alongside remembrance. Attendees can use the day to listen to community members, then read the Calls to Action and consider where public institutions and individuals still have work to do.
About Na-Me-Res
Na-Me-Res is an Indigenous-run non-profit organization in Toronto that works to fill gaps in services for Indigenous men facing homelessness. Its services include shelter, affordable housing, cultural reconnection, skills training and primary health care.
More information about its housing and community programs is available through the Na-Me-Res website.
The organization’s September 30 gathering connects that ongoing work with a broader public day of remembrance, giving Toronto residents a place to hear Indigenous voices and reflect on the history and continuing effects of residential schools.
Planning To Attend On September 30
Na-Me-Res’ fifth annual Day of Remembrance takes place Wednesday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Park, 950 Davenport Rd. The event announcement says the gathering is open to anyone who wants to reflect, learn and honour residential school Survivors and the children who never returned home.
Those who cannot attend can still use September 30 to read Survivor testimony, review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, learn from Indigenous-led organizations and carry that learning beyond one day.
Support Resources
Material about residential schools can be difficult or distressing. The National Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419 for Survivors and their families. The Hope for Wellness Help Line is available at 1-855-242-3310 for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people seeking immediate emotional support
You Might Also Like…
