September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, an opportunity for everyone in the motor coach and group travel sector to reflect and take action in ways that are meaningful to them. This day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools and acknowledges the strength of Survivors, their families, and communities. We encourage our members to seek out Indigenous stories and histories, support Indigenous tourism experiences, and take a moment to learn more about the ongoing journey toward reconciliation. Whether by attending a local event, sharing educational resources, or fostering partnerships with Indigenous businesses, each step taken helps advance understanding and healing within our industry and beyond. Let’s come together to honour this day and continue our commitment to reconciliation all year long.
Learning Resources:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
A comprehensive and public National Day for Truth and Reconciliation resource hub is the Education section of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): https://nctr.ca/education/. This page gathers learning materials, event information, teaching guides, guides for reflection, and a wide range of resources suitable for individuals, organizations, and communities looking to take meaningful action and deepen their understanding year-round.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Reports
Reports issued or created by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#nctr-reports
Learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada
Resources to learn more about Indigenous history, languages, cultures, and experiences: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1621447127773/1621447157184
Indigenous History
The history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, reconciliation and more: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/history-heritage/indigenous-history.html
Tourism Resources:
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Take the pledge Canada the global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada is asking its members, partners and supporters to come together as Indigenous Tourism Team Canada to support its Vision 2030 for Indigenous tourism in Canada.
Vision 2030 targets for Indigenous tourism in Canada:
- 60,000 jobs in Indigenous tourism (up from 39,000 in 2019)
- 2,700 Indigenous owned and operated tourism businesses (up from 1,900 in 2019)
- $6 Billion in contributions to Canada’s GDP (up from $1.9 Billion in 2019)
Sign the pledge at https://pledge.indigenoustourism.ca
Indigenous Tourism Ontario
Visit ITO’s library of reports, plans, and other documents for Indigenous organizations to use that will contribute to growing the Indigenous tourism industry in Ontario: https://indigenoustourismontario.ca/resources
Visit ITO’s list of native experiences. Experience the history, traditions, cuisine, and cultures of the region’s Native Peoples. Come with an open mind—and leave inspired and renewed: https://nativeexperiencesontario.ca