Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. We also recognize the journey of Truth and Reconciliation we are currently on at the City.
This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
This year, the City will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the following:
- A tree wrapping event in šxʷhék̓ʷnəs (Spirit Square) will be held on Wednesday, September 9, where participants will wrap trees in orange. This display is designed to spark meaningful conversations about Truth and Reconciliation and promote the event in Maple Ridge on Sunday, September 27.
- There will be a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Sunday, September 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge, hosted by q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation and PLEA Community Services, with the City of Pitt Meadows as a proud sponsor. Learn more.
- City Hall will be illuminated in orange and City flags lowered to half-mast from September 26 - 30.
- A Place of Reflection is located beside the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation flag at šxʷhék̓ʷnəs (Spirit Square) where we encourage the community to visit and take a moment to consider the painful parts of Canada's history as it relates to our past and current relations with Indigenous communities, and how to move forward together towards a better future.
Learn more at pittmeadows.ca/city-hall/indigenous-peoples-and-reconciliation