About
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of Residential School Survivors, families and communities are honoured and kept safe for future generations.
The NCTR educates Canadians on the profound injustices inflicted on First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation by the forced removal of children to attend residential schools and the widespread abuse suffered in those schools.
We preserve the record of these human rights abuses, and promote continued research and learning on the legacy of residential schools. Our goal is to honour Survivors and to foster reconciliation and healing on the foundation of truth telling.
The NCTR was gifted the spirit name bezhig miigwan which, in Anishinaabemowin, the language of the Anishinaabe people, means “one feather.” The name’s a reminder that every Survivor needs to be shown the same respect and attention that an eagle feather deserves. The name also teaches us that we are vital to the work of reconciliation.
The NCTR is located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
About the NCTR
The NCTR continues the work started by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).
The TRC was established as part of a legal settlement, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, between Survivors, the Government of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and Inuit representatives, and the church bodies that had run residential schools. As part of that Agreement, the TRC was mandated to inform all Canadians about the residential school system and its legacy.
The NCTR was created through an agreement between the TRC and the University of Manitoba shortly before the conclusion of the TRC’s mandate. The Survivors’ statements, documents, and other materials collected through the TRC now form the heart of the NCTR. Five of the TRC’s Calls to Action (Calls to Action 65, 71, 72, 77 and 78) refer to the NCTR and its role as steward of these truths.
It is our responsibility to share these truths in a respectful way and work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, researchers, communities, decision-makers and the general public to support the ongoing work of truth, reconciliation and healing across Canada and beyond.
What We Do
The NCTR is the permanent, safe home for all statements, documents, and other materials gathered by the TRC. We also work with our network of partners and supporters to continue to expand this collection and promote ongoing research and learning.
By incorporating Indigenous perspectives, values, laws and protocols, we are creating something new — we are working on decolonizing the archive, to be built on principles of respect, honesty, wisdom, courage, humility, love and truth.
NCTR Logo
Learn about the NCTR logo design and its enduring message for truth and reconciliation across Canada
Our Mandate
The NCTR mandate ensures we preserve the memory of Canada’s residential school system and its legacy for all time
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba is the proud host of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Our Partners
You can become part of our broad network of reconciliation partners at universities, colleges, museums and other organizations across the country
NCTR Governance
Learn about our guiding Governing Circle and Survivors Circle and access our governance reports including annual reports, meeting minutes and more
Who We Are
Get to know the people at the NCTR. Meet our staff and the members of our guiding structures, the Governing and Survivors Circles.
Hear from our leadership. Read the messages from the NCTR Director, President and Commissioners.
History of the TRC
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created through a legal settlement between Residential Schools Survivors, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives and the parties responsible for creation and operation of the schools: the federal government and the church bodies.
NCTR’s spirit name – bezhig miigwan, meaning “one feather”.
Bezhig miigwan calls upon us to see each Survivor coming to the NCTR as a single eagle feather and to show those Survivors the same respect and attention an eagle feather deserves. It also teaches we are all in this together — we are all one, connected, and it is vital to work together to achieve reconciliation.