National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30. We encourage library customers, staff, board and volunteers to reflect on Canada’s truth and learn more about Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report and 94 Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children and its 231 individual Calls for Justice.

Wear an orange shirt to raise awareness about the intergenerational impact and trauma residential schools have had on Indigenous communities and make a donation to the Orange Shirt Society to support their work in commemorating the residential school experience and fostering reconciliation. 

OPL works closely with the local Indigenous, Métis, Inuit peoples about how we as a community can support an inclusive, diverse, and equitable Oakville. That begins with acknowledging the past and the Truth and Reconciliation work that needs to continue, including the calls to action. We must continue to work together to build on what unites us and continue creating a community where everyone feels respected and welcomed.

Oakville residents are invited to reflect on the residential school experience and engage in the following activities to learn more about Indigenous communities:

Read

OPL reading lists to learn more about the Indigenous community:

• Residential Schools In Canada

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month – Picture Books

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month – Kids

• Celebrate Indigenous Stories – Middle School

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month – Teens

• Celebrate Indigenous History Month - Adult Titles

Watch

• Watch singer Shawnee Kish perform at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on September 30 at 8 pm. Visit the Oakville Centre website for free tickets to the in-person event or the live stream event.

• Watch Indigenous films, presented in association with Indigenous community leaders, OPL and other community partners, and join in discussions about everyone’s shared responsibility to care for the Earth. The films honour Indigenous culture and the contributions of Indigenous people. Entry and activities begin at 6:30 pm with the film presentation beginning at 7 pm at the following locations:

  • Friday, October 1 at River Oaks Community Centre (Diamond), 2400 Sixth Line

  • Saturday, October 2 at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre (Diamond), 1051 Glenashton Drive

  • Sunday, October 3 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 3070 Neyagawa Boulevard

  • For free tickets to the screenings, visit the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts website. Tickets are required for all attendees. In the event of rain, the screenings will take place at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre at 2301 Bridge Road.

Explore 

• Enjoy a walk along the Moccasin Trails and explore the history of the lands from an Indigenous perspective. Follow the Moccasin Trails signs along Bronte Creek Heritage Trail and along Sixteen Mile Creek Inner Valley to Dundas Street West at Lions Valley.

• Visit Tannery Park and explore the First Nations history wall and Moccasin Identifier, which was built to promote public awareness of the significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Métis and Indigenous communities

Listen

• #OurOakville Podcasts

  • Episode 2: #OurOakville is for Indigenous History. This podcast welcomes special guest Darin Wybenga, Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Wybenga brings his wisdom and knowledge of history and offers context and understanding to the land we now call Oakville.

  • Episode 3: #OurOakville is for Indigenous Peoples. To encourage dialogue, and foster relationships, trust, and understanding, this podcast invites local Indigenous community member Angela Bellegarde to share her experience of belonging in Oakville. Julian Kingston, Supervisor of the Oakville Museum, joins the conversation to share how our museum can improve the stories we share.

Learn

• Study the Assembly of First Nations: It’s Our Time: Education Toolkit

• Read, listen, watch and try resources available on the Government of Canada’s Learn More About National Indigenous History Month page.

• Read about Halton Region approving actions to support meaningful Indigenous relationships, demonstrates commitment to reconciliation.

• Listen to and learn from Indigenous voices with A Day to Listen, organized by the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund in celebration of the diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

• Take part in the 215 Pledge

For those who may be in need of support, please call:

• National IRS Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

• IRSS Telephone Support Line: 1-800-721-0066

• FN & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

• Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868
  
  Posted: September 29, 2021