Thursday is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Orillia.
On this day, flags at all city facilities will be lowered to half-mast, and outdoor digital signage, social media profiles, and the Port of Orillia beacon will be orange.
The Every Child Matters Flag will be flown at the Orillia Opera House until Oct. 4.
"We honour the survivors, their families and communities in the reconciliation process and strive to bring awareness to the history of residential schools in Canada," said Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke in a video message to the community.
The front of #OPP General Headquarters is being illuminated in orange for four days until September 30 in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to recognize the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. #EveryChildMatters pic.twitter.com/nXvKGZdfJ7
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) September 28, 2021
City staff have created a webpage, which provides information on local activities and initiatives, along with resources for residents to further their understanding of the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in our community and across our nation.
The main local event happens Thursday from noon to 2 p.m., as an Orange Shirt Day community event begins at the Orillia Opera House.
Community members are invited to meet at the Opera House at noon, hear an opening song and then walk down Mississaga Street together to the main field at Terry Fox Circle at Couchiching Beach Park.
At the park there will be a ceremony with Chris Walser acting as master of ceremonies and several speakers. There will be drumming, an honour song and jingle dancers. There will be a group round dance.
A sacred fire will be lit during the event at the Orillia Native Women’s Group facility at 110 Matchedash St. N.
You are asked to pre-register for this event through the website.
Rama First Nation is also holding various events on Thursday. However, due to COVID-19, they are only open to community members and details are not being announced publicly in advance.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be holding a virtual event open to youth grades 5-12 throughout this week.
The APTN and the CBC are having a full day of multi-media engagement.
Lakehead University is also hosting Reconcili-action: Learning Truths and Enacting Responsibilities, a series of webinars, that started this week and run through Oct. 8. You can get more information on the Lakehead University website.
If you would like to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and its origins, click here.
A 24-hour national residential school crisis line to support former students and their families is available at 1-866-925-4419.
