The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory day honouring Indigenous people, communities, and survivors of Canada’s residential school system, takes place on September 30.
With September 30 falling on the weekend, municipal administrative offices will be closed on Friday, September 29. Staff and members of our community are encouraged to use this day to learn and reflect on the history and legacy of the residential school system.
The County will continue to deliver essential services on September 29. Curbside garbage, green bin, and recycling pickup service will occur according to the regular schedule. Landfill and transfer sites will be open on Saturday, September 30. For urgent after-hour inquiries, please call 613.476.6505 for road emergencies or 613.967.8777 for water or sewer emergencies.
Community centres will be open and town hall bookings will be honoured on September 30. The municipality will avoid non-essential bookings on this day in future years.
Resources and Special Events
In a recent proclamation, Mayor Steve Ferguson has declared the municipality’s commitment to acknowledging September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, flying an “Every Child Matters” flag for the month of September, and encouraging all members of the community to educate themselves about the stories of residential school survivors, their families, and communities.
Activities in the local community and across Canada are planned to mark the day. Here are just a few options for ways to learn and things to do:
- A soft launch of A Path Forward exhibit on Saturday, September 30 (10 am to 4 pm) at Macaulay Heritage Park. A Path Forward is a permanent and evolving exhibit co-curated by the Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, and The County Museums. The exhibit explores truth and reconciliation efforts in the County through history, heritage, and Indigenous works of art and story. Many artists will be on site on September 30 to chat about their work and the project throughout the day.
- Reflections of Ourselves Exhibition, a collaborative art project at the Wellington Museum on what it means to be a Canadian or to live in Canada. The exhibition includes 21 Indigenous artists.
- Truth and ReconciliACTION screening series at the Regent Theatre in Picton from September 25-30.
Additional information and resources are available on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.