This September 30 will be the third year that we commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to remember the Indigenous victims, survivors, families and communities who were and continue to be affected by the legacy of Residential Schools across Canada.
We also acknowledge September 30 as ‘Orange Shirt Day,’ based on the grassroots campaign started by Residential School survivor, Phyllis Webstad, whose story of having her orange shirt taken away from her on her first day at a Residential School has helped educate Canadians on the Residential School experience and its impacts on Indigenous Peoples. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day serves as an important reminder to acknowledge the past and to reflect on reconciliation and action as we move toward the future.
We acknowledge that ‘Halton Region’ is situated on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation as well as the Traditional Territory of several Indigenous groups including the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Anishinabek. On June 20, 2022, Halton Region and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) signed a Relationship Agreement, formalizing ongoing work to build a constructive, collaborative and mutually respectful relationship. The Relationship Agreement continues to allow us to work with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation to achieve the shared objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report (external link) and Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (external link). This agreement remains an essential part of building meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Communities and First Nations in the Halton community.
To honour all the victims and survivors of Residential Schools, we will be lowering the flags at Regional facilities to half-mast, including the Every Child Matters Flag to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Events and resources to learn more
I encourage everyone to learn more about the impact of Residential Schools and about Truth and Reconciliation:
- reading books from Indigenous authors, including:
- Margaret Pokiak-Fenton’s Fatty Legs: A True Story
- Jessica McDiarm’s Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass
- watching films or documentaries, including:
- The Inconvenient Indian
- Rumble: The Indians who Rocked the World
- Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner.
- Bones of Crows
- exploring blogs and online resources:
- reading important documents and resources including;
- wearing an orange shirt on September 29 (on the observed work day) and September 30 to show your support.
To find more resources about this important day including information about Halton’s work to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Communities and First Nations, please visit the Building Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous People and Communities webpage on halton.ca.
By continuing our education and path towards Truth and Reconciliation, we honour all Indigenous Peoples and recognize their many contributions to making Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.