September 30 marks the 4th annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. First recognized in 2021, this day was established by the federal government to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, the survivors, their families and communities. Coinciding with Orange Shirt Day, it is an opportunity to bring awareness to the painful legacy and ongoing impacts of the residential school system, and to collectively advocate for social justice and critical system changes.
Resources:
- Review the 94 TRC Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Learn how UNDRIP can be applied in a municipal setting – UNDRIP: Guide for Municipalities.
- Ottawa Public Library – Check out a prepared list of recommended books and other resources to help you and your families learn more about residential schools and possible paths to reconciliation: Adults | Children.
- For those of you who wish to develop a deeper understanding of settler-colonialism and the actions that you can take to ‘untie colonial knots in the health system’, this article is recommended.
- Aboriginal Peoples Television Network – APTN offers an interesting lineup of programs on September 30, which aim to both educate and inspire – e.g., Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024.
- National Film Board (NFB) – Explore the many short documentaries included in the NFB’s Indigenous Cinema collection.
- National Arts Centre: Days for Truth & Reconciliation – Join one of the NAC’s all-age virtual and in-person offerings, highlighting the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, their cultures, communities, and stories.
- Participate in an in-person or virtual gathering on Parliament Hill on September 30 that is hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Explore the Reconciling History Walking Tour, a free, self-guided journey through downtown Ottawa.
- Learn about Indigenous issues from an Indigenous author at the Ottawa International Writer’s Festival - e.g., an evening with Tanya Talaga where she discusses her new book, The Knowing, a riveting exploration of her family’s story and a retelling of the history of the country we now call Canada. Click here for free tickets to this event that takes place on September 30 at 7 pm.
This is a day in which Canadians reflect upon the experiences and history of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in Canada. It is a day to acknowledge, reflect and learn about the injustices they faced through the residential school system and the ways it continues to affect Indigenous Peoples in Canada. To honour this day, the flags at all City sites will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise on Monday, September 30 to sunrise on Tuesday, October 1. At City Hall, the Survivors Flag will also be flown at half-mast from sunrise on September 30 to sunrise on October 1, in front of the Heritage Building and on Marion Dewar Plaza. Illuminations in orange are also planned for the Heritage Building at Ottawa City Hall and the OTTAWA sign in the ByWard Market.
On Monday, September 30, seven branches of Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will be open for the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This federal statutory holiday was created to publicly commemorate the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools--a vital component of the reconciliation process. Additionally, September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a day started by Phyllis Webstad to encourage education and recognition of the residential school system. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. To support OPL clients in learning more about, and understanding, this aspect of Canada’s history, the following OPL branches are open from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday, September 30:
St Laurent, 515 Côté StreetCumberland, 1599 Tenth Line Road
Greenboro, 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive
Main,120 Metcalfe Street
Nepean Centrepointe,101 Centrepointe Drive
Ruth E. Dickinson, 100 Malvern Drive
