National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023

This occasion honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools and their families and communities. This time of year is another opportunity to explore more about the rich and diverse voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

September 30th is also marked as Orange Shirt Day, as a way to remember the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken away from her when she was sent to a residential school at age six. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

September 30 as National Truth and Reconciliation Day is one special day observed annually; however,  the work of Truth and Reconciliation must be embraced daily to foster meaningful and lasting change. We encourage the community to engage with special events and reflective activities. 

• Attend a performance by singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker Lacey Hill at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, from 8 to 10 pm. For complimentary tickets, please visit the Oakville Centre website.

• Visit Oakville’s first orange crosswalk at Thomas and Church streets and watch Oakville Understanding Reconciliation with Sherry Saevil to learn its importance.

• Watch Understanding Indigenous History to learn about reconciliation, treaties and how to work together.

• 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 beginning at Rebecca Street and Mississauga Street 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, built to promote public awareness of significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

• Celebrate Indigenous heritage and culture while creating a visual reminder to recognize and honour the past, by participating in a Moccasin Identifier activity at Centennial Square, 120 Navy St., on September 30 starting at 7 pm.

See more of what's happening in Oakville: Town of Oakville: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events and activities

The Moccasin Identifier 
The Moccasin Identifier advances Treaty and Indigenous awareness in Canada by helping you develop a greater understanding of Treaties and Indigenous relationships to the land. Attend one of the many programs taking place this week at the library.

Using a Moccasin Identifier Education Kit participants will use stencils based on drawings of historical moccasins of the Anishanaabe, Huron-Wendat, Seneca and Cree to create temporary or permanent paintings of the moccasin designs, grounding their learning through an art-based activity. This program is for all ages.

Reading Lists

• 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

Learn More

• Reflect on Canada’s truth and learn more about the 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. 

• We are all Treaty People: The Debwewin The Oakville Truth Project

• OPL's Reconciliation Journey

• OPL Community Conversations Series: Indigenous Arts, Cultures and Voices (2022)

Oakville Public Library is situated on Treaty #14 and Treaty #22 lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. Oakville is currently home to many different First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.