British Home Child Day

September 22, 2025

County of Inverness Joins Communities Across Canada in Honouring British Home Children

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, September 18^th, the Council of the Municipality of Inverness County proclaimed Sunday, September 28^th as British Home Child Day in the County.

National British Home Child Day was declared by the Government of Canada in 2018 to recognize the lives and legacies of the over 100,000 British Home Children sent to Canada between the late 19^th century and the 1970s. An estimated 300 children landed between Inverness and Victoria counties, particularly in Whycocomagh and surrounding area. These children came from poor and marginalized families in the British Isles and were sent abroad under child migration schemes. Many endured harsh conditions and were placed as labourers on farms or as domestic workers. Contrary to popular belief, only 12% were true orphans. Many grew up ashamed and unable to speak about their experiences, though they contributed greatly to Canadian society, with over 25,000 enlisting in the World Wars.

Today it is estimated that over four million Canadians are descendants of British Home Children.

Proclamation

The Beacons of Light Tribute

Since 2019, Beacons of Light has united Canadians in remembrance by illuminating landmarks, monuments, and buildings in red, white, and blue, or in yellow—the latter representing Home Children Canada’s floral emblem, the sunflower.

Individuals are invited to participate in the “Porch Light Tribute” by leaving their outdoor lights on overnight on September 28, symbolically leaving the light on for children who never made it home.

For more information, visit:
homechildrencanada.com
britishhomechildren.com