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Check out the 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.
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 oshlib.bibliocommons.com/events
September 13 - Beading Workshop – Oshawa Museum
Join interdisciplinary beadwork artist Raechel Wastesicoot (Kanyen'kehá:ka/mixed settler) for a beginner-friendly workshop where participants will create their own unique beaded pendant. Learn the foundations of flatstitch beadwork, sustainability practices and express your creativity in a welcoming environment. Registration rates apply.
Event details:
Learn more by visiting www.simpletix.com
September 16 - Culture Days: Métis Jigging
Visit the John Aker Northview library branch to experience and learn about Métis jigging with professional Métis dancer Auriele Diotte. This free event is open to participants of all ages. Registration begins August 22 at 9 a.m.
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting https://oshlib.bibliocommons.com/events
September 21 - Protecting Survivor Truths: Holding and preserving Indigenous lived experience
Organizations like the N.C.T.R., the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre and the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada are the custodians of truths and evidence of colonial harm. Holding these truths is a sacred responsibility. Join the National Center of Truth and Reconciliation to learn more about what it means to be a protector of Survivor truths today.
Moderator: Jesse Boiteau, Senior Archivist, N.C.T.R.
Speaker: Krista McCraken, Researcher & Curator, Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (S.R.S.C.)
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/
September 22 - Growing and strengthening Indigenous-newcomer solidarity
Newcomers to Canada are often inadvertently—or systematically—discouraged from engaging with Indigenous Peoples. When we bridge this gap, we find powerful solidarity between those who have faced colonial violence and displacement. This session explores how to foster these vital connections and responds to Calls to Action 93 and 94.
Speaker: Mbalu Lumor, Director Programs & Newcomer Services, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (C.C.V.T.)
Event Details:
Learn more by visiting https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/
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 https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/
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 https://culturedays.ca/en/events
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 https://oshlib.bibliocommons.com/events
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 https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/
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 https://culturedays.ca/en/events
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 https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/
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 https://oshlib.bibliocommons.com/events
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 https://oshlib.bibliocommons.com/events
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 oshawamuseum.org/whats-on
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:
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 eventbrite.ca 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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