National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sep 30)

NDTR hero banner Monday, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to honour the Survivors of the residential school system, the children who did not make it home, as well as their families and communities. It is a time to commemorate and reflect on the historical and ongoing impacts of residential schools.

The Survivors' Flag will be displayed at City Hall in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Survivors' Flag is an expression of remembrance meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. For more information about the Survivors' Flag, please visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation webpage.

In addition, the ‘Together’ statue in front of Minoru Centre for Active Living (7191 Granville Avenue) will be illuminated in orange, in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In 2024, the community commemorated National Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day through the following events and programs:

Sep 1-30: Richmond Public Library Indigenous Perspectives Collection

The Richmond Public Library’s Indigenous Perspectives Collection will be displayed at all library locations throughout the month of September and community members are encouraged to explore our dedicated Indigenous Resources webpage. Available online from September 1-30, 2024.

Sep 13: Author Monique Gray Smith

Join award winning and best selling author, Monique Gray Smith in welcoming your students back to school and creating classrooms of care

Ages: Children-School Age
Fri, Sep 13, 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: Ironwood Library

Fri, Sep 13, 1:30-2:30pm
Location: Brighouse Library

Cost: Free, registration required.

Sep 23: An Evening with Jody Wilson-Raybould

Join us for an evening discussion with Jody Wilson-Raybould. Twenty copies of her book, True Reconciliation, will be given away to lucky participants. The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould is a distinguished author of three books that explore reconciliation and discuss her role as an Indigenous leader.

Ages: Adults
Mon, Sep 23, 7:00-8:00pm, 8:00-8:30pm book signing
Location: Cultural Centre Performance Hall
Cost: Free, registration required.

Sep 23-27: Educational Webinars - National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Five 50-minute educational webinars on each day leading up to September 30 are being offered virtually.

Day 1: Health Related Impacts of the Residential School
Day 2: Allyship and Confronting Unconscious Bias
Day 3: Impacts and Addressing Indigenous Identity Fraud
Day 4: A Community Perspective of UNDRIP Day 5: How do we address the barriers to reconciliation

For more information and to register visit Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024.

Sep 26: Film Screening of Wilfred Buck with director Lisa Jackson

Join us for a free film screening of Wilfred Buck (2024), an award-winning hybrid documentary feature by director Lisa Jackson, including introductory remarks from the director via Zoom.

Lisa Jackson’s portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations.

Ages: All Ages
Thu, Sep 26, 6:15-8:30pm
Location: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall
Cost: Free, advanced registration is encouraged

Sep 30: Richmond Public Library Family Storytime

We will be featuring picture books written by Indigenous authors and at two Storytimes during the day. Detail about Family Storytime can be found on the Richmond Public Library website.

Ages: All Ages
Mon, Sep 30, 10:30-11:00am & 1:00-1:30pm
Location: Brighouse Library – Kid’s Program Room (Main floor)
Cost: Free, no registration required.

Sep 30: Richmond Public Library Launchpad Display

The works of Indigenous authors will be prominently displayed inside the library and an Indigenous created film which will celebrate Indigenous themes will be showcased on the Launchpad’s large viewing screen throughout the day.

Ages: All Ages
Mon, Sep 30, 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Brighouse Library – Launchpad Media Wall (Main Floor)
Cost: Free, no registration required.

Sep 30: Live broadcast from Parliament Hill in Ottawa

Remembering The Children commemorates the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. On September 30, 2023, a national commemorative gathering will broadcast live from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The live national broadcast will begin at approximately 12:00pm CDT. Check your local listings

Facility Closures

Some City facilities may have reduced hours or be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For more information on City facility closures, visit Holiday Hours; for specific Community Centre hours, visit Recreation Facilities.

City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 30 in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Recycling Depot will be closed on Monday, September 30 and will be open on Tuesday, October 1. Blue cart collection will remain regularly scheduled. All other residential services will be pushed by one day due to the the observed statutory holiday on Monday, September 30.
Lang Centre, Hamilton Community Centre and Sea Island Community Centre will be closed on Monday, September 30.
The Brighouse library and Cultural Centre will have reduced hours on Monday, September 30, from 10:00am-4:00pm. All other library branches will be closed on Monday, September 30. For details visit the Richmond Public Library's website.

Resources

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day through these resources: