Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. It is a day to acknowledge the painful legacy and harms caused by residential schools and honour the children who never returned home, the survivors, as well as their families and communities.

Oshawa is situated on the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and is covered by the Williams Treaties. As the present day home to the greatest number of Indigenous peoples in Durham Region, we are honoured to proclaim September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Oshawa.

Throughout the month of September, the City of Oshawa encourages the community to learn more about Indigenous communities and support healing through the following initiatives:

Gchi-Piitendaagziwag Kina Binoojiijag ‘Every Child Matters’ – Orange Ribbon Memorials

September 3 through October 7, the City of Oshawa is inviting community members to visit and tie a ribbon at an Orange Ribbon memorial in the city to commemorate the children lost and negatively impacted by the harm caused through Indian Residential Schools.

Orange Ribbon memorials will be located at:

• Civic Recreation Complex (99 Thornton Rd. S.)
• Columbus Community Centre (3265 Simcoe St. N.)
• Delpark Homes Centre (1661 Harmony Rd. N.)
• Lakeview Park (55 Lakeview Park Ave., located near the playground and splash pad)
• Oshawa City Hall (50 Centre. St. S.)
• Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle (863 Glen St.)

Community members are encouraged to bring and tie their orange ribbon as a sign of respect to these Indigenous children and their families, and to support healing in Indigenous communities across Canada.

Drum Social at Alexandra Park  

Please join us on Monday, September 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Alexandra Park, 65 Buckingham Ave, in partnership with Lakeridge Health, with host Jake Charles and his Big Drum, to honour the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through traditional dance, music and teachings.

Official Commemoration of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Flag Raising: Survivors’ Flag

Join us Thursday, September 26 - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to hear from Mayor Dan Carter as he makes a proclamation recognizing the significance of this day and the importance of building on our collective understanding through education, conversation and celebration.

Jenn Niles, Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe Kwe from Alderville First Nation, and Traditional Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg Elder Dorothy Taylor, will join Mayor Carter to provide a welcoming smudge and some words on the importance of this day. Jenn is the Cultural Advisor for Alderville First Nation and she brings with her lifelong knowledge having dedicated her life to preserving and sharing cultural knowledge. We will also be joined by youth from the Durham District School Board who will speak directly to the City on what Reconciliation means to them. Participants are invited to attend wearing their Orange Shirt.

The City of Oshawa will be flying the Survivors’ Flag at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.) for the entire month of September. 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. Indian Residential School Survivors from across Canada assisted with the flag’s creation by carefully selecting each element depicted on the flag.

Orange Shirt Day

Coinciding with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30 is Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day brings awareness that Every Child Matters and is a day of reflection to:

• commemorate the residential school experience;
• witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families; and,
• commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, community members are encouraged to wear orange and take time to honour the stolen children of the Indian residential school era on this day.

Orange Garden for Reconciliation at Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park

The garden symbolizes the City’s commitment made on June 20, 2022 by the Oshawa City council to implement the Truth and Reconciliation (T.R.C) 94 Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (U.N.D.R.I.P) as a framework to move reconciliation forward.

It is a designated space for community to reflect, learn and commemorate the legacy of harms caused towards the Indigenous stewards of Turtle Island (North America) to promote healing, equity and inclusion for all.

Support Indigenous artisans and businesses  

Orange shirts can be purchased by Indigenous creators or through businesses that put back 100% of the proceeds into Indigenous initiatives. Consider supporting the following Indigenous artisans and businesses:

• Nishtees: Indigenous owned apparel store
• Whetungs Ojibwe Centre: gift shop located in Curve Lake First Nation
• Minisi Convenience and Gift: gift shop located in Scugog Island First Nation
• Turtle Lodge Trading Post: Indigenous owned trading post
• Shop First Nations: Resource hub
• Walmart Reconciliation Effort: 100% proceeds go to Indigenous owned educational resource, Indspire

Learn more about the City of Oshawa’s commitment to meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous communities on the City’s Truth and Reconciliation webpage.

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