Midwestern Ontarians will be able to choose from numerous events to acknowledge and honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday.
Now in its fifth year, the federal statutory holiday coinciding with Orange Shirt Day is meant to honour and remember First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who never returned home from Canada's residential school system, which operated between the 1880s and 1996. The day also recognizes survivors of the schools and their families.
Events marking the day include a community ceremony of reflection and remembrance at Gichi-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden at Kelso Beach in Nawash Park from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saugeen Shores will be holding a ceremony at the Zgaa-biig-ni-gan Bridge on Highway 21 on the north side of Southampton at 11a.m. In Walkerton, there will be a vigil walk starting at the Memory Lane Pavilion at 6:30 p.m.
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation will be holding a walk from Peninsula Shores School to Wiarton Town Hall starting at noon. At 1:30 p.m. there will be a round dance at Bluewater Park
Saugeen First Nation will be holding a prayer and acknowledgement of Saugeen First Nation residential and day school victims and survivors at 3 p.m. Half an hour later, Saugeen First Nation will hold a mini pow-wow. The Nawash event will continue at Bluewater Park from 2:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The Huron County Library has several evening activities scheduled. This includes Indigenous beading workshops at the Alice Munro Branch in Wingham and at the Goderich branches at 6 p.m., a First Nations food presentation at the Exeter and Seaforth branches at 6:30 p.m., and "what you should know about Treaties and Huron County" presentation at the Clinton branch at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required and can be done by calling the hosting branch.
The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre is offering all-day free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Those attending can explore the Anishinaabwe Endaat gallery and visit the museum's newest exhibit titled "Legacy of Hope: The Residential School System in Canada, Local Saugeen Ojibway Nation Impacts", which shares stories and experiences both nationally and from the region.
For those unable to physically attend any of the local events, radio broadcasters across Canada including Blackburn Media, the owner of CKNXNewsToday.ca, are again partnering with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund to air "A Day to Listen 2025". This year's programming focuses on the theme "The Path Here, The Path Ahead". Hosts of the radio broadcast include January Rogers who is Mohawk/Tuscarora writer and media producer, two-time JUNO Award-winning artist from Peguis First Nation William Prince, and Kiefer Collison who grew up on Haida Gwaii in the village of Old Massett, worked for First Nations Health Authority and appeared on Big Brother seasons 10 and 11. The day will cover topics that include missing children and unmarked graves, who is is responsible for reconciliation, and the rise of Indigenous economic power.
As a federal statutory holiday, federal government offices, Service Canada, and banks will be closed for the day. Other federally regulated industries will also be observing the day, as will some local municipalities. Flags outside of many government buildings will be flown at half staff to mark the day and there will be numerous events in honour of Indigenous Peoples held across the country, including a 90-minute ceremony on Parliament Hill starting at 3 p.m. The Peace Tower and the Senate Building in Ottawa will also be illuminated in orange throughout the evening.
Schools will remain open, as will the bulk of privately owned businesses such as grocery stores and retail outlets.
Unlike Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and New Brunswick, Ontario has thus far refused to declare September 30 a provincial statutory holiday.
