City of Kingston: Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – events and resources

Press Release

Friday, Sept. 30, marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The day responds to Call 80 of the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Sept. 30 is a day to honour Survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

It is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led movement created as an opportunity to discuss the effects of residential schools and their legacy and to share and learn from the stories of Survivors like Phyllis Webstad. It is a celebration of resilience and an affirmation that every child matters.

City Hall will be illuminated in orange on Friday, Sept. 30 to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Indigenous-led events and ceremonies are planned around the community to create space for Indigenous Peoples to connect and honour the day. Non-Indigenous community members are invited to listen, learn and reflect on the history of Canada’s residential school system and the lived experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples.

Local gatherings and events

City Park

Working in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Centre of Kingston, Kingston Interval House, Odemin Collective, Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest, and the Elizabeth Fry Society, have events planned to raise awareness about residential schools and missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.

• Orange Shirt Day Sacred Fire: Sept. 30, 12 – 6 p.m.
• Sister in Spirit Day Sacred Fire: Oct. 4, 12 – 6 p.m.

Confederation Park

• Indigenous community members will hold a Sacred Fire: Sept. 30, sunrise to sunset
• Stop in front of the fountain and reflect on the legacy of residential schools at a temporary installation sharing the 94 Calls to Action: Sept. 26 – 30
• City Hall will be illuminated orange: Sept. 30, sunset to sunrise
• City Hall will raise the Every Child Matters flag: Sept. 30

Kingston Community Health Centres – 263 Weller Ave.

• Indigenous community members will hold a Sacred Fire: Sept. 30, 7 a.m. – sunset
• Community walk led by Kingston Community Health Centres and Kingston Police.
  • Participants will leave from 263 Weller Ave. at 9 a.m. to complete a 14.2 km walking loop to visit the community’s main events.

Online events and broadcasts

APTN will air 35 hours of special programming.
In partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), APTN is producing a one-hour live broadcast and national commemorative gathering called Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will take place at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa. The one-of-a-kind event will be led by children and residential school survivors and will air simultaneously across all APTN channels.

Learning resources and reports

Download the mobile app – Reconciliation: A Starting Point.
Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 calls to action or view them at a temporary installation in Confederation Basin.
Read the 231 calls to action in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Read reports related to residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Aboriginal Healing Reports, and more.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has developed a Residential School timeline. Download their free educational program, Remembering the Children, for grades 1 – 12.
See how close you live or work to a former residential school site using an interactive map created by CBC.
Learn more about the Engage for Change project, which seeks to re-frame the relationship between Indigenous/First Peoples and non-Indigenous people in Kingston.

Residents: Submit a request or question about municipal programs and services online or by calling Customer Services at 613-546-0000 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. City staff will aim to respond within two business days.

Members of the media: For more information, call the City of Kingston Communications and Customer Experience department at 613-546-4291, ext. 2300.

About the City of Kingston
Kingston’s vision of being a smart, livable, leading city is fast becoming reality. History and innovation thrive in our dynamic city located along the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario, an easy travel distance from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, in the heart of eastern Ontario. With a stable and diversified economy that includes global corporations, innovative startups and all levels of government, Kingston’s high quality of life offers access to world-class education and research institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, affordable living and vibrant entertainment and tourism activities.

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