What You Can Do To Honour Truth and Reconciliation Day
/Canada will mark the first ever National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Thursday. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
Curve Lake First Nations Pow Wow, 2014. File Photo.
The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament on June 3, 2021.
National Truth and Reconciliation Day was formerly known as Orange Shirt Day, which was established in 2013 to raise awareness about the damaging effects the residential school system had on Indigenous communities.
Canadians are encouraged to purchase their orange shirts through Indigenous-owned organizations, and from designers whose proceeds contribute to Indigenous resources.
There are local events happening on Thursday to honour the day.
Curve Lake First Nation:
Storytelling Gathering 6:30 p.m. at Lance Wood Park, 2251 Birch Island Rd, Lakefield.
Members of the community are invited to gather under the Pow Wow arbour to to share their songs, stories, poems and drum beats. It is an open mic style event with everyone welcome to participate.
Their sacred fire will be burning from sunrise until the end of the event.
Every Child Matters Walk 12 p.m. Curve Lake First Nation Community Centre
In recognition and remembrance of those lost, and those that survived residential schools. The walk will start and end at the community centre Please wear an orange shirt.
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, 580 Cameron St.:
Sacred fire and book reading 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
There will be two readings of Phyillis Webstad's book: The Orange Shirt Story at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. There will also be a canvas banner that can be signed to commemorate relatives.
This event is open to all but due to COVID-19, please respect social distance guidelines and masks are mandatory. The centre can only host 20 people including staff in the backyard, so it is asked that you limit your time and reserve a space with Rebekah wellness@nogofc.ca
Hiawatha First Nation, 431, Hiawatha Line:
Community gathering 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
This free event is open to Hiawatha First Nations Citizens on and off territory, residents of Hiawatha, Hiawatha First Nations staff, their family and household. The evening will include an opening prayer and smudging, remarks from Chief Carr, a barbeque and more.
To register to attend or to volunteer to help contact Jill Stevens at 705-295-4421 or ecdev@hiawathafn.ca
This is an outdoor event, COVID protocols are in place. Those attending are encouraged to wear their regalia or an orange shirt.
Trent University:
Treaty Rock unveiling at Trent Peterborough Campus, Bata Bus Loop from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Gzowski College Three Sisters Community Lunch at 12:00 p.m. while supplies last
First Peoples House of Learning Orange Shirt event at the traditional arena from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sacred fire will be burning from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
National Centre for Truth and Reconcilliation, Online:
11:30 a.m.Beyond Orange Shirt Day reading by Phyllis Webstad
1:00 PM Being William (French) (VR Experience) by Jason Brennan
