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September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

An orange circle with a white pathway in it overlaps an orange narwhal, eagle, and beaded flower. In the background is orange smoke. To the right of the image are icons with an eagle, narwhal, and flower. The circle at the centre represents being together in spirit of reconciliation. The orange colour represents truth-telling and healing. The pathway represents the road to reconciliation. First Nations, The eagle represents First Nations The narwhal represents Inuit The beaded flower represents Métis


September 30th, 2022 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a day to reflect, lean in, and learn. Below, you'll find information to further your understanding and participate in a meaningful way. We’ve included some local events, municipal initiatives, learning opportunities and resources.


Please contact Rebecca-Haskell Thomas or Amrit Khaira with any questions, comments, or concerns.




National Truth and Reconciliation image of orange circle, pathway, eagle, narwhal, orange beaded flower. What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

In 2021, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was officially recognized by the Government of Canada. This is a day to lean in, listen to, and learn about the ongoing impacts of the colonization of Turtle Island (known as North America today), including learning about and acknowledging the impacts of residential schools. It's also a day to learn about how we can create pathways towards reconciliation in our personal and professional lives. The process of reconciliation is one that has no end - it requires ongoing learning and action to understand the truths of what has happened, what continues to happen today, and to do better. Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation from the Government of Canada.


Orange shirt that says Every Child Matters.What is Orange Shirt Day?

The creator of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad, was given an orange shirt on her first day of St. Joseph's Mission residential school in British Columbia. But upon arriving to school, she was were forced to remove her shirt and she never saw it again. For Phyllis, the shirt represented her experiences at residential schools and the neglect and harm children faced there. Today, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day. This day is to reflect, learn, raise awareness on the inter-generational impacts residential schools have on individuals, families, and communities, and promote "Every Child Matters". On September 30, we encourage you to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools and the many children who never made it home. Learn more about Orange Shirt Day from the Orange Shirt Society.




Attend Local Events & Education Opportunities


Over the coming weeks, attend local events to honour and learn. We will update this page as additional information becomes available. Check back often.



Before Sept 30: Orange Shirt Pin Making Kits at CK Libraries (Municipal partnership event)

Led by Indigenous Peer Navigator and Come Together CK Community Shoppe. Support their efforts to ensure everyone in CK has an orange shirt pin. Pick up an orange shirt pin package from any CK Public Library location.

Visit CKPL’s website for Branch Information and Hours of Operation



Sept 26: Truth and Reconciliation Week Flag Raising (Municipal Event)

12noon

Civic Centre, Chatham

To honour and kick-off Truth and Reconciliation Week. Learn more about the Survivors' flag from the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Free, everyone is welcome.

The survivors' flag from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.


Sept 29: Healing Walk & Gathering (Municipal partnership event)

10:30am-12:00pm

Begins outside Wallaceburg Library, ends at Civic Square Park

Partnership with Giyakiishchigewin, Walpole Island First Nation. Begins outside Wallaceburg Library at 10:30. Gathering at Civic Square Park. Wear orange in support of reconciliation efforts.

Free, everyone is welcome.

Volunteers needed. Contact Rebecca Haskell-Thomas.

Healing walk and gathering. September 29th, 2022. Join us for a healing walk and gathering to wear orange and show your support for reconciliation efforts. Meet at Chatham-Kent Public Library - Wallaceburg branch at 10:30AM. Gathering will take place at Civic Square Park. Presented by Walpole Employment and training in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice team.

A Day To Listen 2022: Amplifying Indigenous Lives

94.3 CKSY and 99.1 FM will be participating in a Day to Listen Radio Event on September 30th for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). Tune in on September 30th to learn and honour NDTR. You can also visit A Day to Listen for more information.


Sept 30: CK National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event

10:00am-2:00pm

25th Eighth Street, Chatham

Free, everyone is welcome!

Learn about what you can do as an individual and as a professional towards reconciliation.

#CKCalls2Action

Friday, September 30th, 10AM-2PM at 25 Eighth Street in Chatham. Beside the SFLC Child Care Centre. Arts and craft vendors. Information booths. Reconciliation table and pledges. Indigenous drum and dance demonstrations. Everyone is welcome.


Sept & Sept 30th: Chatham-Kent Public Library Events (Municipal Events)

  1. Children's Display Promoting Indigenous Reads at Chatham-Kent Branch

Ages 0-12 years old.

Entire month of September.

2. Linda Lou from Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library, Orange Shirt Day Storytime

10:00am

Recommended for early readers

3. Read and learn about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Flyers, books, and reads by Indigenous authors and illustrators, and available story kits called Indigenous Reflections I and II.

Chatham-Kent Public Library Storytime with Linda Lou. On Orange Shirt Day, please join us for a visit and storytime with Linda Lou, Librarian from Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library. September 30th, 10AM, Chatham Branch. Registration required. 519-354-2940.


Sept 30 & Oct 1: Town of Amherstburg: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events

September 30th, 6:00pm-9:00pm and October 1st, 10:00am-6:00pm

Downtown Amherstburg, ON.

Free, everyone is welcome!

In downtown Amherstburg on September 30th from 6-9PM and October 1st 10AM-6PM. Indigenous market with vendors, information booths, drumming, dancing, story telling. Guest speakers Sylvia Maracle, Elder, Advocate, Consultant, Author. Rudy Indigenous, Indigenous DJ, and Chance Rush, Motivational Speaker, MC, Life Coach and Actor.


Oct 12: Live Performance: The Mush Hole (Municipal partnership event)

6:00pm

Capitol Theatre

$10 + handling fee, recommended for ages 13+

The story of Canada’s first Indian Residential school, the Mohawk Institute powerful portrayal of a family impacted by the Mohawk Institute Residential School (aka “The Mush Hole”), honours the resilience, courage and strength of residential-school survivors.

Partnership with Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Arts & Culture and St. Clair Catholic School Board.

Image of actors on stage and the show date. October 12th, 6PM.


Support Local Indigenous Youth


The Bkejwanong Youth Council are looking for support to create a youth facility. Learn more and support the Youth Council at the Bkejwanong Youth Centre Go Fund Me page.

The Bkejwanong Youth Council is from Walpole Island First Nation, located in Southwestern Ontario. The Council is youth-driven, youth-focused, and youth-led. They are a mentorship, leadership, and role model group for other Indigenous youth. They strive to be a voice for Indigenous youth and to advocate for their needs.

The Bkejwanong Youth Council meet weekly to plan community events, cultural workshops and outreach to youth. They listen to the concerns regarding community youth and suggestions on how they can help the community. One primary concern identified in the community is the need for a larger youth facility that can be used for recreational activities, cultural workshops and meeting space for the Youth Council. It would also serve as a safe, welcoming, inclusive space for high-risk Indigenous youth to call their own.

Buildings and resources are scarce on the First Nation, and the community has numerous needs. The current youth facility is barely large enough to accommodate programming for 20 youth. The Youth Council are asking for your support to help raise money to build a new and larger facility for their community youth and youth council.


Learn About Indigenous Peoples, Worldviews, Truth and Reconciliation


September 30th is an opportunity to develop your personal learning plan to work towards Truth and Reconciliation. Some self-guided learning resources are below.


Read CK Road to Understanding Indigenous Cultures

Learn about local First Nations, local Treaties, appropriate terminology and regional and cultural differences.

Hard copies available. Contact Rebecca Haskell-Thomas


Review Residential School Timeline

Learn about the progression of Residential Schools through time from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.


Watch What is Orange Shirt Day?

Hear Phyllis Webstad's story and why Orange Shirt Day started. Video hosted by the Orange Shirt Society.


Learn Which Treaty Territory You Are In

Understand whose traditional territory you are in and why acknowledging the land and territory is important. From Whose Land. An app is also available.


Participate in 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Education

Self-paced online learning. Cost associated. Takes about 3 hours to complete. Designed to meet the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92. Offered through First Nations University of Canada.

General courses should be complimented by learning about and from local First Nations and Indigenous Peoples.


Participate in Indigenous Canada Online Course

Free through University of Alberta. 12-lesson course explores the histories and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples. 12 weeks of study, 2-3 hours per week.

General courses should be complimented by learning about and from local First Nations and Indigenous Peoples.


Download Reconciliation: A Starting Point Mobile App

A reference tool for learning about First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives. Users will learn why reconciliation matters and what public servants need to know and do to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Created by the Canada School of Public Service.


Read Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action

While many Calls to Action are directed towards the Federal government and specific systems, there are also several that apply to everyone and to local government. From the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation


Supports


Hope for Wellness Help Line

Offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.


National Residential School Crisis Line

Provides 24-hour crisis support to former Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.


Have other events or resources to add? Please contact Rebecca Haskell-Thomas or Amrit Khaira.