The third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be marked by Canadians across the country on Saturday.
Coinciding with Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to remember the 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children taken away from their families and placed into Canada’s residential school system. It is also a time to honour school survivors, their families, and communities and to publicly commemorate the history and legacy of the institutions.
In London, numerous public events have been organized and include a commemorative gathering, a panelist discussion, and a music and artisan festival. While the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is held each year on September 30, community events in the city will span over two days.
On Friday, Atlohsa Family Healing Services has planned a speaker series called "Beyond National Day of Truth and Reconciliation". It is being held at Wampum Learning Lodge at 1137 Western Rd. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Its panelists, who include Chief Joel Abram, Post Secondary Department Counsellor Jody Noah, London Indigenous Community Liaison Advisor Alizabeth George-Antone, and Ontario Health's Director of Indigenous Health Joe Antone, will engage in a conversation about genuine reconciliation and collective healing, reclamation, and reparations.
The Gawii Wikaa-Nendimisii (Never Ever Forget Me) market and benefit concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Western Fair District Agriplex. Proceeds from the concert and market will go toward preserving the former Mount Elgin Indian Industrial School barn. It was in this location where children forced to attend the school inscribed messages on the walls and foundation. The Indigenous-led market will showcase traditional skills and art forms with Indigenous artisans, vendors and programming. It runs Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday there will be a free gathering showcase singing, dancing, prayer, and informational / educational booths. Atlohsa Family Healing Services will be leading programming.
"While the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is pivotal, every day presents an opportunity for reflection, understanding, and action," said Joseph Wabegijig, executive director of Atlohsa. "We invite everyone to join us for this gathering. Together, we can connect, share stories, and engage in a journey of collective understanding and healing. Let's come together, embrace the truth, and actively work towards a future of genuine reconciliation."
At 6 p.m. the benefit concert at the Agriplex gets underway with performances by renowned Indigenous artists Northern Cree, Digging Roots, and DJ Shub. Tickets for the all-ages event are $30.
The N’Amerind Friendship Centre will be holding a sunrise ceremony at the Mount Elgin Residential School monument at 6:30 a.m. Speakers at the ceremony will include residential school survivor Mary Anne La Forme and Mayor Josh Morgan. The ceremony will be followed by the Nibi walk and relay at 9 a.m. at the Oneida Nation of the Thames. It will go from there to the Nshwaasnangong Child Care and Family Centre, at 449 Hill St. in London, to the N’Amerind Friendship Centre before a community dinner is held at 2:30 p.m.
People attending these events are encouraged to wear orange to show solidarity and bring attention to the tragic legacy of residential schools.
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, City of London buildings and monuments will be illuminated in orange until October 2. The 'Survivor's Flag' will also be raised outside City Hall on Dufferin Avenue.
"In the spirit of reconciliation, education and hope, on September 30 we encourage all Londoners to wear orange and honour those who survived residential schools and remember those who did not,” said Mayor Morgan. "Learning more about this day is important. It is a step towards understanding our country's history and an even bigger step towards creating a better future for all.”
All City administrative offices including City Hall, Citi Plaza, all Ontario Works offices, and the Provincial Offences Administrative Office, will be closed on Monday. As well there will be no curbside garbage or recycling collection on that day.
Earlier this week, the city unveiled two new Indigenous tree sculptures at the entrance of 122 Baseline Road West - an affordable housing development. The sculptures depict an owl family and bear family and were crafted by Indigenous artist Garrett Nahdee, in collaboration with the city's Public Art and Monument Program and the London Arts Council. It was inspired by Indigenous teachings on the importance of family.
Radio broadcasters across Canada including Blackburn Media, the owner of LondonNewsToday.ca, are once again joining together to amplify and elevate Indigenous voices with "A Day to Listen 2023" programming. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, radio stations, such as Classic Rock 98.1, will air stories from Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, Elders, musicians, and teachers centred around the theme of “Honouring Indigenous Identity”. The 12-hour broadcast will include shows by singer-songwriters William Prince, ShoShona Kish, and Aysanabee.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was designated a statutory holiday by the federal government in 2021. Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and New Brunswick have also declared September 30 a provincial statutory holiday. Ontario has so far declined to follow suit.
Government-funded residential schools operated in Canada between the 1880s and 1996. Their purpose was to assimilate the children into Euro-Canadian society, stripping them of their culture. Many students at the schools suffered physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse at the hands of staff. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has so far identified more than 4,100 children who died at the schools, most due to malnourishment or disease. However, the number of dead are believed to be much higher.
