National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Take part in these events
Aug. 28, 2024
Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to reflect on and commemorate the painful legacy of Canada’s residential schools. It’s also known as Orange Shirt Day.
Here at Georgian, we recognize reconciliation is the collective and individual responsibility of all of us – on Sept. 30 and all year long.
It is a time to reflect on the ongoing impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities. This month, the Survivors’ Flag or Every Child Matters flag will be raised at each of our seven campuses as a reminder of our collective responsibility to acknowledge these truths and work toward reconciliation.
Below, in consultation with Georgian’s Indigenous Services, we’ve listed activities open to the entire Georgian community. Please check back frequently as more events may be added or updated.
Flag raisings
Please join us for flag raisings at Georgian’s campuses. These are happening in person at the flagpoles in front of our campuses, except in Barrie where the flag raising will take place at the Georgian Cenotaph, in front of C building.
New this year, we’ll be raising the Survivors’ Flag to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities affected by the residential school system in Canada. Survivors from across Canada selected each element that’s illustrated on the flag. It is also equally important to commemorate the lives of those who died during the era of residential schools.
Barrie Campus
Thursday, Sept. 5
9 to 9:30 a.m.
Midland Campus
Thursday, Sept. 12
10 a.m.
Muskoka Campus
Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. (flag raising, no ceremony)
Monday, Sept. 23 at 9 a.m. (ceremony)
Orillia Campus
Thursday, Sept. 5
10 a.m.
Orangeville Campus
Wednesday, Sept. 4
9 a.m. (no ceremony)
Owen Sound Campus
Tuesday, Sept. 3
10 a.m.
South Georgian Bay Campus
Wednesday, Sept. 4
10:30 a.m.
Every Child Matters T-shirts
If you wish to purchase an orange shirt or beaded pin, we recommend you do so through the Orange Shirt Society – online or through one of their official retail partners.
The Orange Shirt Society is a non-profit organization that raises awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools and supports reconciliation events, resources and programs.
Custom Every Child Matters backgrounds and email signatures
We created two custom Every Child Matters backgrounds – in orange and blue – that you’re welcome to use in your Microsoft Teams video calls and meetings. A custom Outlook email signature will also be available in September.
Other events throughout September and beyond
Sept. 11
Orillia Campus:
- Ally circle at 2 p.m. at the fire pit. Register online.
- Guided walk of the Debwewin Miinwaa Naaskodaadiwin Miikaans (Truth and Reconciliation Trail) at noon.
Sept. 18
Orillia Campus:
- Ally circle at 2 p.m. at the fire pit. Register online.
- Guided walk of the Debwewin Miinwaa Naaskodaadiwin Miikaans (Truth and Reconciliation Trail) at noon.
Sept. 19
Barrie Campus:
- Opening reception for new art exhibition, Survival of the Fittest, by Aylan Couchie, a Nishnaabekwe interdisciplinary artist, curator, writer and Georgian College alumna. Free event takes place 5 to 7 p.m. at Georgian’s Campus Gallery (room D140, D building). Exhibition runs until Oct. 20.
Sept. 23
All campuses:
- Promotion of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s lunch and learn sessions online running all this week (Sept. 23 to 27) at 1 p.m. to help people unlearn the myths of colonial history in Canada. All sessions are aimed at an adult audience, open to the public and include a presentation and question-and-answer session.
South Georgian Bay Campus:
- All this week, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) will play on TVs around campus.
Sept. 25
Barrie Campus:
- Film screening of Bones of Crows, followed by a discussion, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Georgian Theatre. Mental health and well-being supports will be available to attendees. The event will include opening remarks and a chance to reflect together after the movie.
Orillia Campus:
- Orange shirt beading workshop for Georgian students. Registration required through student community hub.
- Guided walk of the Debwewin Miinwaa Naaskodaadiwin Miikaans (Truth and Reconciliation Trail) at noon.
- Film screening of Bones of Crows, followed by a discussion, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the campus theatre. Mental health and well-being supports will be available to attendees. The event will include opening remarks and a chance to reflect together after the movie.
Owen Sound Campus:
- Film screening of Bones of Crows, followed by a discussion, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. in room E113. Mental health and well-being supports will be available to attendees. The event will include opening remarks and a chance to reflect together after the movie.
Sept. 30
All campuses:
- Promotion of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Remembering the Children event taking place at Parliament Hill in Ottawa at 3 p.m. The event will be broadcast on APTN and some other broadcasters.
Barrie Campus:
- Open to Georgian students and employees: 20-minute immersive experiences of the Orillia Campus’s Debwewin Miinwaa Naaskodaadiwin Miikaans (Truth and Reconciliation Trail) in the Brand Family 360° – Interdisciplinary Simulation Space in room M248. Sessions run between 10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. Simulation experience includes an introductory video, interactive walk through the trail, information about Indigenous history and Truth and Reconciliation and a discussion. Mental health and well-being supports will be available to attendees.
Orillia Campus:
- Ally circle at 2 p.m. at the fire pit. Register online.
- Guided walk of the Debwewin Miinwaa Naaskodaadiwin Miikaans (Truth and Reconciliation Trail) at noon.
South Georgian Bay Campus:
- Indigenous book lending library. Ongoing throughout the day.
More details to come.
October
- Orillia Campus: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) learning circles.
Oct. 4
- Barrie Campus: Sisters in Spirit vigil.
- Orangeville Campus: Sisters in Spirit vigil.
- South Georgian Bay Campus: Sisters in Spirit vigil.
- Owen Sound Campus: Sisters in Spirit vigil and Women’s Learning Circle.
Nov 4 to 8
- Owen Sound Campus: Treaties Recognition Week information sharing.
Nov. 8
- Orangeville Campus: Tables set up to honour Indigenous Veterans Day.
- South Georgian Bay Campus: Posters around campus honouring Indigenous Veterans Day.
- Owen Sound Campus: Indigenous veterans pins for students and employees honouring Indigenous Veterans Day.
Nov. 11 to 15
- Barrie and South Georgian Bay campuses: Promotions for Rock Your Mocs Week. This week, wear your moccasins or turquoise ribbons to honour Indigenous cultures.
Sept. 4
Owen Sound – Grief recovery: 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. at the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, 1045 3rd Ave. W., Owen Sound. Also running Sept. 10, 17 and 24. Grief recovery assistance for people of all races, religions and backgrounds.
Owen Sound – Kizhaay – I am a Kind Man, a session for men to learn to take action to end violence against Indigenous women: 5 to 7 p.m. at the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, 1045 3rd Ave. W., Owen Sound. Also running Sept. 11, 18 and 25.
Sept. 7
Midland – Moccasin making workshop: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Georgian Bay Métis Council (GBMC) office, 845 King St., Midland. Participants must be a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario living within the GBMC catchment area. To register, email gbmc.ronald.lepage@gmail.com.
Sept. 14
Owen Sound – Make beaded earrings or a bolo tie: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts, 938 2nd Ave. E., Owen Sound. Cost is $125.
Sept. 28
Orillia – Indigenous-led hike and sharing circle: 10 a.m. to noon at Couchiching Conservancy, 1485 Division Rd. W., Orillia. Dr. Sharla Mskokii Peltier and Elder Mark Douglas from Rama First Nation will lead a two-kilometre walk through Grant’s Woods, ending in a story and sharing circle in the forest. This event is open to both Indigenous community members and allies.
Sept. 29
Owen Sound – Make a beaded orange shirt: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts, 938 2nd Ave. E., Owen Sound. Cost is $115.
Sept. 30
Barrie
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation community event: Activities taking place from 6:30 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. at the Spirit Catcher, 15 Lakeshore Dr., Barrie. Activities include: Sunrise ceremony at 6:30 a.m.; tipi raising and ceremony at 9 a.m.; sacred fire and guest speakers until 5 p.m.; information booths; Mamaway’s Mobile Clinic 1 to 4 p.m.; and kids’ activities. There will also be a memorial walk from 6 to 6:40 p.m., and participants will be welcomed back by drum group Old Soul Singers & Dancers. Please wear orange if you can.
- Truth and Reconciliation vigil: 6 to 7 p.m. at the Barrie South Simcoe Métis Council Office, 1401-64 Cedar Pointe Dr., Barrie. Free event.
Midland – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event: 10 a.m. to noon at the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, 175 Yonge St., Midland. Opening songs and prayers, traditional dancers, sacred fire, barbecue and drumming. To register, call 705.526.5589, ext. 221.
Midland – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, 16164, Hwy. 12 E., Midland. Free event that includes a flag raising, opening ceremony, learning about North American treaties, films about the legacy of residential schools, testimonials of residential school Survivors, and information about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 calls to action.
Orillia – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 4th annual community walk and gathering: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. starting at the Orillia Opera House/Orillia Public Library municipal lot. From there, the route goes left on West Street North, right on Coldwater Road to Centennial Drive, and ending at Terry Fox Circle. Event is hosted by Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team and the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle.
Allies and reconciliation
The actions and engagement of allies are vital in fostering an environment of understanding, respect and healing – at Georgian and in our communities. We encourage everyone to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and commit to continuous learning and taking actions that support reconciliation. This involves listening to Indigenous voices, educating yourself about Indigenous histories and cultures, and actively working to address the injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples.
8 ways you can engage in meaningful learning beyond Sept. 30:
1. Take the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation course, which is aimed at empowering people to educate themselves to develop a renewed relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples through transformative multi-media learning.
2. Learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 calls to action and make your own personal commitment to reconciliation.
3. Explore Georgian’s library collection of Indigenous Voices, including non-fiction, fiction, ebook, print, children literature and poetry.
4. Listen to award-winning podcasts that centre Indigenous stories and perspectives.
5. Hold team meetings to discuss Truth and Reconciliation. To get started, explore resources through Georgian’s library website, including ones on why Indigenization is important at the college.
6. Participate in activities outside the college at local Indigenous friendship centres, Indigenous community groups and other institutions and organizations. We’ve got a handy list above that will be updated with even more events.
7. Engage with one of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s lunch and learn sessions to unlearn some myths of colonial history in Canada.
8. Familiarize yourself with Georgian’s online Indigenization resources, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada documents, and more.
This post was originally published in September 2021 and updated in August 2024.