Mark the 5th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at an event in Clarington or Durham Region

The Municipality of Clarington is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas and Chippewas of the Anishinabeg, known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations.

September 30 marks the 5^th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), also recognized as Orange Shirt Day. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing the truths of our past, as well as working towards reconciliation. NDTR honours both the Survivors and the intergenerational Survivors of the Indian Residential School system, while also remembering the children who never returned home.

Clarington has an ongoing commitment to reflect on the detrimental legacies of the residential school system, deepen our learning journeys and participate in intentional conversations on truth and reconciliation.

Big Drum Healing Circle 🧡

• September 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Alexandra Park (12 Hospital Court, Oshawa)
• Experience the healing power of community at this special drum circle, presented in collaboration with the Indigenous Initiatives team at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. Everyone is welcome to join this meaningful gathering. Orange attire is encouraged.

Clarington’s Orange Ribbon Reflection Space🧡

• September 17 to October 10 | Outside Courtice Community Complex
• Residents are invited to tie an orange ribbon on a temporary orange fence located at the Courtice Community Complex to honour Survivors of the residential school system and remember the children who never returned home. The installation will remain for one month as a space for reflection and an opportunity to foster intentional conversations on truth and reconciliation amongst our community.

Culture Days Programming 🧡

• September 27 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at The Arts Resource Centre (The ARC: 45 Queen Street, Oshawa)
• Don't miss this powerful afternoon featuring a screening of "Becoming a Family," a moving documentary about siblings separated by the Sixties Scoop who find each other and rebuild their family connections. This free event includes food and educational workshops.

Orange Shirt Day is September 30 🧡

• Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is 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.
• Support local: Consider ordering an orange shirt from Orange Shirt — A Place to Heal, designed by a Durham Region Indigenous artist. Proceeds support the Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle.
• Learn more: Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, whose orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at a residential school. Watch Phyllis’ story on Orange Shirt Day.

Community Participation Opportunities 🧡

• CLMA Beading Workshop: September 25 at the Courtice Library and October 2 at the Bowmanville Library
  • In partnership with Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Circle, these workshops explore the meaning of orange shirt pins through Indigenous beading traditions. All materials provided.
• Durham Region Walk for Reconciliation, September 26 from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Join us for a walk from the Garden Street entrance of Durham Regional Headquarters. This walk represents our shared commitment to reconciliation.
• Town of Ajax Event: September 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Pat Bayly Square
  • Join the Town of Ajax, Durham Community Health Centre, Ajax Indigenous Advisory Circle, and Indigenous Building Relationship Circle (Pickering) for an evening of ceremony and community connection.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Calls to Action🧡

• There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:
  • The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
  • Apologies by the federal government
  • The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • The creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which ran from 2008 to 2015, provided an opportunity for those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

Learn more about Indigenous Supports and resources.

24-Hour National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419