National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sep 30)
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours Survivors of the residential school system and the children who were never returned home, as well as their families and communities. It is an opportunity to commemorate and learn more about the history and legacy of the residential school system and how it continues to impact Indigenous communities.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis Webstad that is intended to raise awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. It was inspired by her story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, BC. The orange shirt has become a symbol of hope, reconciliation and a commitment to a better future. Wearing an orange shirt on September 30 honours the lives affected by residential schools and demonstrates solidarity with Indigenous communities.
How the City Commemorates the Day
The Survivors' Flag is displayed at City Hall throughout the week leading up to September 30. The Survivors' Flag is an expression of remembrance and is intended to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada.
The ‘Together’ statue in front of Minoru Centre for Active Living (7191 Granville Avenue) is illuminated in orange throughout the week leading up to September 30.
City staff, including staff from Community Associations and Societies, are encouraged to wear orange shirts and pins to raise awareness of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and participate in various educational opportunities offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and in the community.
How to Get Involved
There many ways to reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and learn about the impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. Participate in the following National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day events and programs in the community:
Sep 1-30: Richmond Public Library Indigenous Perspectives Collection
The Richmond Public Library’s Indigenous Perspectives Collection will be displayed at all library locations throughout the month of September and community members are encouraged to explore our dedicated Indigenous Resources webpage. Available online from September 1-30, 2024.
Sep 13: Author Monique Gray Smith
Join award winning and best selling author, Monique Gray Smith in welcoming your students back to school and creating classrooms of care
Ages: Children-School Age
Fri, Sep 13, 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: Ironwood Library
Fri, Sep 13, 1:30-2:30pm
Location: Brighouse Library
Cost: Free, registration required.
Sep 23: An Evening with Jody Wilson-Raybould
Join us for an evening discussion with Jody Wilson-Raybould. Twenty copies of her book, True Reconciliation, will be given away to lucky participants. The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould is a distinguished author of three books that explore reconciliation and discuss her role as an Indigenous leader.
Ages: Adults
Mon, Sep 23, 7:00-8:00pm, 8:00-8:30pm book signing
Location: Cultural Centre Performance Hall
Cost: Free, registration required.
Sep 23-27: Educational Webinars - National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Day 1: Health Related Impacts of the Residential School
- Day 2: Allyship and Confronting Unconscious Bias
- Day 3: Impacts and Addressing Indigenous Identity Fraud
- Day 4: A Community Perspective of UNDRIP Day 5: How do we address the barriers to reconciliation
For more information and to register visit Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024.
Sep 26: Film Screening of Wilfred Buck with director Lisa Jackson
Join us for a free film screening of Wilfred Buck (2024), an award-winning hybrid documentary feature by director Lisa Jackson, including introductory remarks from the director via Zoom.
Lisa Jackson’s portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations.
Ages: All Ages
Thu, Sep 26, 6:15-8:30pm
Location: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall
Cost: Free, advanced registration is encouraged
Sep 30: Richmond Public Library Family Storytime
Ages: All Ages
Mon, Sep 30, 10:30-11:00am & 1:00-1:30pm
Location: Brighouse Library – Kid’s Program Room (Main floor)
Cost: Free, no registration required.
Sep 30: Richmond Public Library Launchpad Display
Ages: All Ages
Mon, Sep 30, 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Brighouse Library – Launchpad Media Wall (Main Floor)
Cost: Free, no registration required.
Sep 30: Live broadcast from Parliament Hill in Ottawa
Facility Closures
Some City facilities may have reduced hours or be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For more information on City facility closures, visit Holiday Hours; for specific Community Centre hours, visit Recreation Facilities.
- City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 30 in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- The Recycling Depot will be closed on Monday, September 30 and will be open on Tuesday, October 1. Blue cart collection will remain regularly scheduled. All other residential services will be pushed by one day due to the the observed statutory holiday on Monday, September 30.
- Lang Centre, Hamilton Community Centre and Sea Island Community Centre will be closed on Monday, September 30.
- The Brighouse library and Cultural Centre will have reduced hours on Monday, September 30, from 10:00am-4:00pm. All other library branches will be closed on Monday, September 30. For details visit the Richmond Public Library's website.
Resources
Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day through these resources: