Statement on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

Anishinaabe Territory/Ottawa, September 30, 2026 –  September 30th marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters.

NAWL’s office is located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, the traditional stewards of this land since time immemorial.  

As a feminist organization, we must always reflect on the ways in which our work can both challenge and reinforce systems of oppression, including colonialism. It is important that we try to ground this work in the values of intersectionality, lived experience, and traditional knowledge, recognizing the historic contributions of Indigenous People and communities while continuing to foster these relationships into the future. Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people are essential partners in our work to challenge unjust and inequitable systems and institutions. This is especially true of our efforts to end gender-based violence, secure access to reproductive rights, and ensure economic security and prosperity for marginalized women.  

Colonialism, both past and present, continues to subject Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people to disproportionate rates of violence, abuse, and harm. NAWL remains deeply committed to working in solidarity with Indigenous communities and women’s organizations to bring justice to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and healing to affected families and communities.  

We recognize that allyship, accountability, and solidarity are necessary pillars of decolonization and reconciliation and we remain dedicated to upholding these values in our relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and communities.