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City Hall and Service Oshawa will be closed on Wednesday, September 30.
Learn more about impacts to City programs and services and how to observe Orange Shirt Day.
Explore events happening throughout the City of Oshawa and Durham Region to observe Orange Shirt Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Take some time to engage with community and learn about the history.
Community members are invited to join the City of Oshawa and the Durham District School Board (D.D.S.B.) in commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Light refreshments will be served beginning 12:30 p.m. followed by some teachings from Grandmother Kim Wheatley, drumming, and words from D.D.S.B. students.
Join the Mayor and Council for the raising of the Survivors' Flag in honour of residential school Survivors and the families, communities, and generations impacted by the residential school system in Canada. The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation.
To learn more about the Survivors' Flag by visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's exhibitions page.
Following the flag raising, David Beaucage Johnson will share insights about his artwork titled Aashawaa, which will be displayed at City Hall for up to 18 months and on Land Acknowledgment signage across City facilities. The theme of the mural is arriving from canoe travels and beginning a journey on trails. The place where a canoe route connects to a land portage is called Aashawaa (also spelled “Oshawa”), which means the beginning of a trail.
This collaborative project reflects the City's ongoing commitment to learning, reflection, and reconciliation. Learn more about the City's Land Acknowledgement and the artwork at oshawa.ca/LandAcknowledgement.
David is a Mississauga Anishnaabe artist from Curve Lake and his family is Turtle Clan. He has created over 15,000 original artworks to date using watercolours, acrylics, serigraphy and most recently has expanded his mediums to include digital art.
David’s Artistic Statement stems from Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke who once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from Magic.” David prefers a variation of which states, “Any sufficiently advanced Art is indistinguishable from Magic.”
All September - Truth & Reconciliation Reading Challenge
Throughout the month of September, explore stories that center Indigenous voices and perspectives on truth and reconciliation. Register by creating an account on the READsquared app or visit oshlib.readsquared.com
Learn more by visiting the Oshawa Public Libraries' website.
Weekly - Indigenous drum circle
Throughout the month of September, the Durham Community Health Centre will be organizing an Indigenous Drum Circle every week on Wednesdays, beginning September 2.
Everyone is welcome to the Indigenous Drum Circle! Come sing and drum, let your hands speak your truth! Lets get come together to remember who we are! We do NOT drum for silence, We drum for strength, for courage, for UNITY, We drum for those who came before us.
Together our sound becomes a storm, together we rise, together we shake loose our fear and call back our power!
Together WE Heal.
Chi – miigwech (Much thanks to community member Zaiden for these powerful words).
To register for this event, please contact Mary Sue at: mrobinet@durhamchc.ca OR (905)723-0036 Ext.1096.
Event Details
Learn more by visiting the Durham Community Health Centre's website.
September 23 - Continuing the conversation on residential school denialism
Building on last year’s dialogue, this session examines the reach and impact of residential school denialism. Learn how to identify harmful narratives and gain practical tools to address and dismantle misinformation.
Speaker: Lindsay Gibson
Speaker: James Miles Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta
Survivors: Barb Cameron and Crystal Gail Fraser
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's website.
Join the Bowmanville Library for a powerful and inspiring musical performance with Aqua Nibbii Waawasskone, also known as Aqua. Through music, storytelling, and Anishinaabe teachings, Aqua creates an interactive and transformative experience that celebrates Indigenous culture, resilience, and identity. Blending Blues influences with their self-created genre, “IndigiBlues,” Aqua shares deeply personal stories of overcoming intergenerational trauma, mental health challenges, homelessness, addiction, and violence. Rooted in Anishinaabe heritage and proudly identifying as Métis and mixed ancestry, Aqua’s performance is educational, uplifting, and engaging for audiences of all ages.
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the Culture Day's website.
September 24 - Family Story Time – John Aker Northview Branch
Visit the John Aker Northview Branch for a free, drop-in, family program including stories, activities, songs, and more. On this date, join the Oshawa Public Libraries for a special Indigenous family story time.
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the Oshawa Public Libraries' website.
September 24 - Honouring Indigenous Leadership: Perspectives for a shared future
This session invites participants into a thoughtful conversation on the leadership, truths, and lived experiences shaping Indigenous futures across Canada and Turtle Island. Grounded in community knowledge and guided by those closest to the work, the session will explore the realities of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, the ongoing fight for First Nations child rights, and the calls for justice from the M.M.I.W.G.2.S. movement.
Moderator: Sky Bridges, President & C.E.O., Winnipeg Foundation
Speaker: Wayne Garnons-Williams, C.E.O., Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation
Speaker: Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, Chair, National Family and Survivors Circle Inc.
Survivor: Stephanie Wellman, Director of External Affairs, Programs & Operations, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's website.
September 25 - Film Screening: Siksikakowan the Blackfoot Man
Sons, fathers, brothers, riders, racers, dancers, dreamers… Sinakson Trevor Solway introduces us to the many lives, identities and stories of the boys and men of the historic Blackfoot Confederacy.
In Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man, filmmaker Sinakson Trevor Solway crafts a deeply personal and visually stunning exploration of Indigenous masculinity through the voices and lived experiences of Blackfoot men. Set within the historic Blackfoot Confederacy, the film moves between moments of tenderness, resilience, humour and vulnerability, revealing the complex identities men navigate within family, culture, language and community. Through poetic imagery and intimate storytelling, Siksikakowan challenges colonial stereotypes and offers a rare insider perspective on what it means to be an Indigenous man today. Rooted in the landscapes and spirit of the Prairies, the film celebrates connection, kinship and cultural continuity while opening space for reflection on masculinity, belonging and healing in a modern world.
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the Culture Days website.
September 25 - Indigenous youth perspectives on health and wellbeing
This session features intergenerational perspectives on holistic health and wellness. We will explore the challenges faced by youth living in the shadow of residential schools and other colonial systems, and discuss how individuals and communities can support meaningful, culturally safe support.
Speaker: Sunday Queskekapow
Survivor: Elder Bill McKenna, Urban Indigenous Wellbeing Collective
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's website.
September 26 - Family Story Time – McLaughlin Branch
Visit the McLaughlin Branch for a free, drop-in, family program including stories, activities, songs, and more. On this date, join the Oshawa Public Libraries for a special Indigenous family story time.
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the Oshawa Public Libraries' website.
September 28 - Virtual Author Talk: Monique Gray Smith
Bestselling author Monique Gray Smith will discuss her personal journey of truth and reconciliation and read from her various books. She will explore Canada’s historical treatment of Indigenous people and how it impacts them today and will share her Cultural Resilience model and strategies for weaving aspects into our work. Presented in partnership with Durham and York Region Libraries. Registration opens August 22 at 9 a.m.
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting the Oshawa Public Libraries' website.
September 30 - Oshawa Museum: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Visit A Carrying Place and Miijim: Traditional Foods of the Lake of the Woods Anishinaabe travelling exhibit at the Oshawa Museum for free on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Event details:
Learn more by visiting the Oshawa Museum's website.
September 30 - Annual Orange Shirt Day Powwow
Join Durham College in honouring Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a heartfelt Mini Powwow that celebrates Indigenous culture, resilience, and community. This gathering is a space for reflection, healing, and unity as we remember the children impacted by residential schools and recognize the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.
Experience the power of traditional drumming, dancing, and storytelling, and connect with local members of the Indigenous community beyond Durham College. Everyone is welcome!
This event will be held OUTDOORS in the Naanaagide’endamowin (Art of Thinking) Courtyard, adjacent to the CFCE building. In the event of rain, the rain location will be announced.
Event details:
Learn more by visiting the Eventbrite page.
Visit the Truth and Reconciliation page to learn more about the City's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation as well as access community resources!
Check out upcoming events hosted by the Regional Municipalities of Durham!
The Region of Durham, in partnership with the Durham Employment and Newcomer Centre is hosting the Region's first-ever Newcomer Day. Durham Newcomer Day is a free, family friendly event that brings together newcomers and long-time residents to celebrate the diversity that makes Durham Region a great place to live, work and grow.
Event details:
For more information, please visit the Durham Immigration website.
October 3 - Third Annual Community Walk to End Intimate Partner Violence
This important community event brings together nine organizations serving women and survivors across Durham Region: Bethesda House, Herizon House, Luke’s Place, Safety Network Durham (a division of CFSD), The Denise House, Victim Services Durham Region, Women’s Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCC), Durham Rape Crisis Centre, and YWCA Durham, in collaboration with the Region of Durham.
The walk is an opportunity to:
Ending intimate partner violence requires all of us. By participating, we demonstrate our commitment to standing with survivors, challenging the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to continue, and building a future where everyone can live safely and with dignity.
The event is free and open to everyone. Donations are welcome in support of the participating organizations and help ensure continued access to life-changing and life-saving services for individuals and families affected by intimate partner violence.
Event details:
Visit the Durham Region's eventbrite page to register.
We want to honour your days, weeks and months of significance and to celebrate with you.
Learn more about applying for a proclamation or flag raising at City Hall.
Contact Us
Service Oshawa
Oshawa City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7
Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: service@oshawa.ca
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