National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30. We encourage library customers, staff, board and volunteers to reflect on Canada’s truth and learn more about Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report and 94 Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children and its 231 individual Calls for Justice.

Wear an orange shirt to raise awareness about the intergenerational impact and trauma residential schools have had on Indigenous communities and make a donation to the Orange Shirt Society to support their work in commemorating the residential school experience and fostering reconciliation. 

OPL works closely with the local First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, about how we as a community can support an inclusive, diverse, and equitable Oakville. That begins with acknowledging the past and the Truth and Reconciliation work that needs to continue, including the calls to action. We must continue to work together to build on what unites us and continue creating a community where everyone feels respected and welcomed. 

Related:

• OPL Community Conversations Series: Indigenous Arts, Cultures and Voices 

• OPL's Reconciliation Journey

• Town of Oakville Indigenous Culture and Community Information and Resources

Read

• Residential Schools In Canada

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month – Picture Books

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month – Kids

• Celebrate Indigenous Stories – Middle School

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month – Teens

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month - Adult Titles

Events

• See a live performance of Christine Friday on September 30, 8 pm – in-person and virtual at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Join Christine Friday as she explores her Anishinaabek roots, Firewater Thunderbird Rising is the transformative spirit of dance travelling through dimensional realms of existence – ancestors, dreams, blood memory and the land directly connected to our Anishinaabek way of living, awakening the healing of our Nation’s future.

• Visit the Fire Over Water Art Exhibit on September 30, 10 am to 4 pm, at Crawford Lake Conservation Area. The exhibit is an immersive exhibit by Wyandot artist and Faith Keeper Catherine Tàmmaro. Featuring original paintings, multi-media works, music, and video, Fire Over Water honours the Wendat/Wyandot diaspora represented in Dr. Kathryn Magee Labelle’s recently released book, Daughter’s of Aataentsic: Life Stories From Seven Generations.

Explore 

• Enjoy a walk along the Moccasin Trails and explore the history of the lands from an Indigenous perspective. Follow the Moccasin Trails signs along Bronte Creek Heritage Trail and along Sixteen Mile Creek Inner Valley to Dundas Street West at Lions Valley.

• Visit Tannery Park and explore the First Nations history wall and Moccasin Identifier, which was built to promote public awareness of the significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Métis and Indigenous communities

Listen

• #OurOakville Podcasts

  • Episode 2: #OurOakville is for Indigenous History. This podcast welcomes special guest Darin Wybenga, Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Wybenga brings his wisdom and knowledge of history and offers context and understanding to the land we now call Oakville.

  • Episode 3: #OurOakville is for Indigenous Peoples. To encourage dialogue, and foster relationships, trust, and understanding, this podcast invites local Indigenous community member Angela Bellegarde to share her experience of belonging in Oakville. Julian Kingston, Supervisor of the Oakville Museum, joins the conversation to share how our museum can improve the stories we share.

Learn

• Six Nations – Mohawk Institute Residential School and Woodland Cultural Centre. The Woodland Cultural Centre serves to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous languages, culture, art and history; bringing the story of the Hobinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs.

• ​Crawford Lake: Long House and the Three Sisters Garden

• Mississuagas of the Credit First Nation – Treaty History

  • 12 Mile Creek, 16 Mile Creek and Credit River Reserves – Treaty Nos. 22 and 23 (1820)

  • Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (La Premiere Nation des Mississaugas de Credit) Community Profile

  • Wampum belt exchange marks 200th anniversary of signing of Treaty 22

• ​Study the Assembly of First Nations: It’s Our Time: Education Toolkit

• Read, listen, watch and try resources available on the Government of Canada’s Learn More About National Indigenous History Month page.

• Read about Halton Region approving actions to support meaningful Indigenous relationships, demonstrates commitment to reconciliation.

• Listen to and learn from Indigenous voices with A Day to Listen, organized by the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund in celebration of the diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

• Take part in the 215 Pledge​

For those who may be in need of support, please call:

• National IRS Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

• IRSS Telephone Support Line: 1-800-721-0066

• FN & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

• Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868