Statement from Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
It is a day to learn about and remember the tragic history of the residential school system, and also acknowledge the painful legacy that continues to affect Indigenous peoples in Canada today.
The City of Oshawa is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and covered under the Williams Treaties.
We recognize that Oshawa is the present day home of thousands of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. The City is committed to understanding the truth of our shared history, confronting our past and present, and building a better future together in the spirit of true reconciliation.
The establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was in response to the 80th call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (T.R.C.). Recognition of the harms caused by residential schools remains a vital part of the reconciliation process. On September 30, we are called to honour the Indigenous children who endured residential schools, their families and their communities.
Truth must come before reconciliation. All of us must take the initiative to seek out our own learning of the past and present day relationships between Canadians and Indigenous peoples. Take time out to learn about how the legacy of the residential school system continues to negatively affect generations of Indigenous families.
As September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, I invite you to wear your orange shirt in reflection. Visit one of the five locations in Oshawa and bring and tie an orange ribbon in honour of the children who lived through the residential school era and those who were lost.
Finally, I encourage all Oshawa residents to use this National Day to learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and commit to reconciliation not just on September 30, but every day.