CBC is marking the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday, September 30 with an extensive lineup of Indigenous-led original programming showcasing First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences across CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC News Explore, CBC News Network, CBC Kids, CBC Radio, CBC Listen and CBC Music. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, CBC’s programming will include CBC NEWS LIVE SPECIAL: NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION, hosted by Chief Political Correspondent Rosemary Barton from Ottawa, as well as the second edition of musical celebration RECLAIMED PRESENTS: ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl COME TOWARD THE FIRE across CBC platforms, and the CBC TV debut of TIFF 2023-selected documentary series TELLING OUR STORY, airing its first two episodes.
CBC’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation lineup on Saturday, September 30 includes:
Note: Radio-Canada programming information available here.
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CBC NEWS LIVE SPECIAL: NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
1 p.m. ET on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, CBC News Explore, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App
Live from Ottawa, Chief Political Correspondent Rosemary Barton hosts special coverage of the events to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This special event honours residential school survivors, their families, and their communities, including a commemorative program from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, in association with APTN.
On CBC Radio and CBC Listen, Falen Johnson hosts live coverage of the events in Ottawa commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
In addition to the CBC News Live Special,FAST channel CBC News Explore will offer an extensive lineup of Indigenous-led original programming on September 30, including: CBC NEWS PRESENTS: NEVERTHELESS, THEY PERSISTED! (5 p.m. ET), about Canadians who are breaking barriers, empowering each other, and inspiring generations; the premiere of OUR CHANGING PLANET: LANDKEEPERS (6 p.m. ET), about how Indigenous people in Canada are working to conserve and protect the land in the face of climate change; THE CATCH UP: INDIGENOUS DISPATCHES (7 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET), offering stories from, and about, Indigenous peoples in Canada; and TIME TO EAT, exploring connections between community, family and food.
RECLAIMED PRESENTS: ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl COME TOWARD THE FIRE
5 p.m. (6 AT, 6:30 NT) on CBC Music and CBC Listen and 9 p.m. (10 AT, 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio
7 p.m. (8 AT, 8:30 NT) on CBC TV; available on CBC Gem as of 9 a.m. ET
From the University of British Columbia’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, COME TOWARD THE FIRE celebrates Indigenous talent, creativity and brilliance, with music performances from Black Belt Eagle Scout, Zoon, Tia Wood and more. *Photos available here.*
8 p.m. (9 AT, 9:30 NT) on CBC TV: Episode 1 – Territory
9 p.m. (10 AT, 10:30 NT) on CBC TV: Episode 2 – Identity
All four episodes available now on CBC Gem
The 11 First Peoples in Quebec, Canada—Abenaki, Anishnabe, Atikamekw, Cree of Eeyou Istchee, Innu, Inuit, Mi’gmaq, Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk), Naskapi, Wendat, and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet)—are telling us who they are, in their own way and from their point of view: their worldview, their connection to the Territory, their spirituality, their values, their history going back thousands of years, their wounds, their struggles, their victories, and their hopes. Their stories give depth to our great collective narrative, decolonize history and minds, and honour the Ancestors and Mother Earth. Commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada, TELLING OUR STORY is a celebration of our resistance, resilience, and revival.
Episode 1 – Territory: To understand who we are, you need to appreciate the special relationship we have with the land, a vast and immense territory that we shared amongst Nations. It is an intimate and powerful bond that we want to keep alive. Let us tell you the story of the land, the beating heart of our identities, our beliefs, and our traditions.
Episode 2 – Identity: Our worldview is what defines us as First Peoples. It is shaped by our intimate relationship with the land and with our ancestors, our languages, and our traditional knowledge. To tell you our story, we need to show you the beauty of our languages, the ingenuity of our people and how this was passed on for thousands of years through our oral tradition.
BEHIND EVERY IMAGE, A STORY
10 p.m. (11 AT and PT, 11:30 NT) on CBC TV; available on CBC Gem as of 9 a.m. ET
A documentary about the search to restore the identities of anonymous Indigenous peoples in historic photographs.
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CBC Listen, CBC Radio and CBC Music
All day on September 30, CBC Music will highlight Indigenous artists and composers.
MAAMAW
Saturday, September 30 on CBC Radio and CBC Listen; check local listings
Tune in for Maamaw (Together), a joyful celebration of Indigenous culture, and the strength that comes from community. Whether that community is a First Nation, a grassroots organization, or a powwow family, we’ll share stories about how people are coming together to support each other, live well and celebrate. From CBC Thunder Bay, hosted by Sara Kae & Jasmine Kabatay.
MUSIC THAT CARRIES TRUTH
Monday, October 2 at 12 p.m. (12:30 NT) on CBC Radio and and CBC Listen, 5 p.m. (5:30 NT) on CBC Music
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity for Canadians to listen to the wisdom coming from Indigenous communities: to learn and unlearn our shared story. Music is a powerful way to share it. Join us for intimate conversations led by Unreserved host Rosanna Deerchild and musical performances by Manitoba artists Sebastian Gaskin and Burnstick.
CBC’s ongoing coverage and recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation includes:
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CBC Gem
THE TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COLLECTION is available now with more than 20 films, specials and documentaries honouring the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including drama series POUR TOI FLORA (DEAR FLORA), telling the story of young Anishinaabe (Algonquins) trying to make peace with the painful past of residential schools; feature film INDIAN HORSE, based on the true story of Saul Indian Horse, a famous Indigenous hockey player who survived Canada’s residential school system; and OSHKIKISHIKAW (NEW DAY), following Cree twins Tapwewin and Pawaken, who, as a rite of passage into the next phase of their lives upon the age of 12, travel with their family to Attawapiskat to take part in a sacred first haircut ceremony.
BONES OF CROWS
New episodes available Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET on CBC Gem, followed by broadcast at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC TV; catch up on CBC Gem
Created by Marie Clements (Red Snow), CBC original limited series BONES OF CROWS is a multi-generational epic; a story of resilience and strength told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears. Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, young musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Over the next hundred years, Aline and her descendants fight for a more just future.
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CBC Podcasts
Long after the Kuper Island Residential School was torn down, the survivors remain haunted by what happened there. Investigative journalist Duncan McCue exposes undisclosed police investigations, confronts perpetrators of abuse, and witnesses a community trying to rebuild on top of the old school’s ruins and the unmarked graves of Indigenous children. An eight-part podcast on residential schools for CBC Podcasts available on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available.
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CBC Kids and CBC Kids News
CBC Kids celebrates the 10th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day with two new CBC Kids Book Club videos featuring Orange Shirt Day founder and author Phyllis Webstad: With Our Orange Hearts and Every Child Matters. CBC Kids News teen contributor Ainara Alleyne also spoke with Webstad for a special video during which she answers questions posed by Canadian tweens.
CBCKids.ca offers a new video explainer for kids called “What is reconciliation?” and CBC Kids will also showcase the best of their Indigenous-themed programming across CBC Kids YouTube, CBC Gem and the CBC Kids preschool morning broadcast schedule. The first edition of the new CBC Kids newsletter, “Raising CBC Kids,” was written by Lenard Monkman, a CBC creative producer and Indigenous content specialist, and contains a round-up of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation resources for parents.
