September 30th National Truth and Reconciliation Day Declared a Civic Holiday

Published on: 2021/09/23 - in Releases

RELEASE — Kingston’s City Council declared that Sept. 30 – National Truth and Reconciliation Day – will be a civic holiday to encourage municipal employees and the community to observe the occasion as intended.

“September 30th is a day to acknowledge and make room for the deep work we must undertake as a community with respect to the painful history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and their traumatic effect on generations of Indigenous peoples,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “There are local gatherings, online events, and lots of resources available so that everyone is able to reflect on the significance of this day for our community and our nation.”

Suggestions on how to mark National Truth & Reconciliation Day in Kingston follow the list of holiday closures.

Some municipal offices to close on Sept. 30:

  • Garbage, Green Bin and Recycling: Collection will take place as usual and the Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste depots will be open as usual. Please note that the administrative office at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre will be closed on Sept. 30.
  • Kingston Transit: Buses will run as normal on Sept. 30.
  • Administrative offices: All administrative offices, including housing and social services and provincial offences are closed Sept. 30.
  • Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Open Sept. 30.
  • INVISTA Centre/ Fitness & Wellness Centre, Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre, arenas: Open Sept. 30.
  • CaraCo Home Field: Open Sept. 30.
  • Swimming lessons and drop-in programming: City of Kingston programs at the West-end Boys & Girls Club will continue as usual on Sept. 30.
  • Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour marinas: The Confederation Basin Marina office is open Sept. 30. The fueling stations are open at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
  • Grand Theatre Box Office: Closed Sept. 30.
  • Libraries: Kingston Frontenac Public Library branches are open Sept. 30.
  • PumpHouse Museum: Closed Sept. 30..

Ways to honour National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Local gatherings:

Kingston

  • Sacred Fire and Vigil: Confederation Park , sunrise to sunset on Sept. 30.
  • Sacred Fire: Kewaywin Circle and One Roof in partnership with Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington offices at 817 Division St. from sunrise Sept. 30 to sunset on Oct. 3.

Brockville

  • Gathering at Hardy Park 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 https://www.hometowntv12.ca/news/local-news/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-sept-30-2021-in-hardy-park-brockville/

Online events and broadcasts:

  • Online events are planned over Truth and Reconciliation Week, Sept. 17 to Oct. 1 and hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (https://nctr.ca/education/trw/) (NCTR). There is a schedule for both educators and the general public. Note: Registration for these events closes on Sept. 27.
  • The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a new broadcast special, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, Insight Productions and Canadian Heritage. This unique one-hour, commercial-free primetime special honours the stories and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples affected by the tragedies of the residential school system in Canada, with musical tributes and ceremonies in Indigenous communities across the land. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will broadcast and stream live Thursday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. on APTN, CBC, CBC Gem.

Learning Resources and Reports:

  • Read the 231 calls to action in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
  • Read reports related to residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Aboriginal Healing Reports and more
  • The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has developed a Residential School timeline
  • The CBC has created an interactive map  that allows you to see how close you live or work to a former Residential School site

Release source: City of Kingston
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Laslovarga)