National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th, 2024
In 2021, the federal government passed Bill C-5 which established September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. People are encouraged to wear orange to honour “the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
Orange was selected in honour of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad who, on her first day at residential school, had her shiny new orange shirt bought by her grandmother, taken from her as a six-year old girl. Learn more.
Events:
Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát 21st Annual Pow Wow September 28th, 10:00am-5:00pm “This one-day non-competitive celebration of Indigenous heritage features vendors, dancers, and singers from the Waterloo region and beyond.”
Grounding & Gathering to Honour the Children September 29th, 2024, 9:00am – 3:00pm “The day will include a sacred fire, circle with Elders, bundle feasting and rock painting for support and preparation of September 30th.”
Every Child Matters Walk September 30th 10:00am (300 Frederick St)
APTN and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation present Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a 90-minute commemorative gathering. The multilingual event will be broadcast live from Parliament Hill, on September 30th,starting at 3 pm (ET) on APTN and APTN Languages.
Other local events can be found here.
Click to read the 94 Calls to Action in the 2015 report: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Resources for learning more:
O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp and the Willow River Centre
To find out more about First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led virtual activities, visit the official pages for National Indigenous Organizations:
Also happening this weekend: MT Space and Pi Theatre present Black & Rural at the Registry Theatre. “Black & Rural is the story of a lone Black country woman struggling to defy the monolith of what matters to Black lives. Derived from dozens of real-life interviews with Black folk tucked away on the countryside across Canada, Shayna Jones weaves together a story of vulnerability, quiet triumph, and striking humanity.” Click for more information and for tickets.
It’s also worth noting that the following motion regarding CTS funding is being brought to Kitchener Council on Monday evening (Sept. 30th).
WHEREAS one person dies every 2.5 hours from the toxic drug supply in Ontario; and,
WHEREAS Safe Consumption Sites, also known as Consumption and Treatment Sites, have been instrumental in preventing thousands of drug overdose deaths; and,
WHEREAS crime statistics from the Waterloo Regional Police Services indicate that the Kitchener Consumption and Treatment Site has not been linked to an increase in crime in its vicinity; and,
WHEREAS closing Consumption and Treatment Sites will lead to increased drug use in public spaces; and,
WHEREAS the closure of these sites would place additional strain on emergency services and the healthcare system; and,
WHEREAS Consumption and Treatment Sites offer access to other health and medical services, aligning with the objectives of the HART hub planned by the Ontario Government; and,
WHEREAS healthcare should emphasize prevention as well as treatment;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Kitchener Council urges the Ontario government to continue funding all currently operating Consumption and Treatment Sites beyond the proposed termination date in March 2025;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ontario government is encouraged to maintain funding for the proposed HART hubs;
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Ontario Government is encouraged to not take steps that would prohibit the establishment of temporary Urgent Public Health Needs Sites (UPHNS);
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance, the Health Minister and to municipalities that currently have an operating Consumption and Treatment Site/Safe Consumption Site.
If you want to speak to this issue, instructions to delegate to Council can be found here: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/appear-as-a-delegation.aspx