With Tuesday (September 30) marking the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, communities across the greater Kawarthas region will be honouring and recognizing the Indigenous victims and survivors of Canada’s residential schools, as well as their families and communities. It is also a day for Canadians to educate themselves about the heritage, culture, stories, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The federal statutory holiday was created in 2021 to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 “94 Calls to Action.” These polices outline recommendations for acknowledging the horrifying history of the school system and advancing the process of reconciliation.
The date aligns with Orange Shirt Day, a day that has been commemorated since 2013 when Phyllis Webstad of Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation shared her experience of attending a residential school in B.C. in 1973. When she first arrived at the school as a six-year-old child, she was stripped of her new orange shirt by school authorities and it was never returned.
For most of her life, Webstad was unable to wear orange as it would remind her of the terrifying experiences she had at the school but, after Webstad shared her story as a survivor and eventually founded the Orange Shirt Society, the orange shirt has come to symbolize the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem that many Indigenous children experienced.
Community members are invited to wear orange when participating in the following activities taking place across the greater Kawarthas region before or on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
Learn about wild rice at the sixth Annual Mnoominkewin Gathering at Curve Lake First Nation
On Saturday (September 27) the Mnoominkewin Wild Rice Festival is presenting the sixth annual Mnoominkewin Gathering, a day-long event beginning at 7 a.m. at Curve Lake First Nation’s Lime Kiln Park.
This free family-friendly celebration of mnoominkewin (wild rice) will kick off with a sunrise ceremony before launching into an afternoon of keynote addresses and talks from Winona Laduke, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Chandra Maracle, and Rick Hill.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn to plant, gather, and process Mnoomin into food, as well as partake in kids’ activities, Anishnaabemowin language lessons, art demos, pontoon boat rides, round dances, and community meals by Shawn Adler.
For more information, to register, and to see the full schedule, visit mnoominkewin.com.
Make Orange Shirt Day crafts at the Haliburton County, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes libraries
VIDEO: “On Orange Shirt Day” by Phyllis Webstad
Residents of Haliburton County can drop in to any library branch until Saturday (September 27) to participate in the free drop-in “Hearts & Hands” craft station. To symbolize your commitment to reconciliation and learning, write or draw a message of reflection on an orange paper heart or trace your handprint and add it to a wall display.
In Peterborough, children can create origami orange shirts and decorate the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer Street). There will be two shirt designs available to choose from during library open hours until Monday (September 29). Adults are invited to reflect on and record one actional intention of truth and reconciliation they will work towards.
Drop in to any Kawartha Lakes library branch during open hours on Saturday (September 27) and Tuesday (September 30) to make your own bookmark in honour of survivors and in remembrance of those impacted by residential schools.
“Canindian: A Celebration of Truth and a Celebration of Reconciliation with Tom Jackson and Friends” at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre
VIDEO: “Lost Souls” by Tom Jackson (2021)
The Municipality of Port Hope will honour Indigenous culture, history, and healing with an evening of song, storytelling, and performances from Tom Jackson and local Indigenous leaders at the Capitol Theatre (20 Queen St.) beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (September 30)
Jackson is an accomplished actor, musician, and activist with Cree roots known for television roles in North of 60, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Law & Order, and Sullivan’s Crossing and roles in films including Cold Pursuit, Deadfall, Mee-Shee: The Water Giant, and Grizzly Falls.
The event will include traditional drumming and dancing and feature a vendors’ market with jewelry, scarves, moccasins, and paintings available for purchase.
Admission is free but $30 donations are suggested, with all proceeds supporting the Rice Lake Legal Personhood initiative. Jackson will be matching up to $5,000 in donations.
Tickets can be purchased at capitoltheatre.com.
Gathering for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Peterborough
Join the Peterborough Urban Indigenous Working Group for a family-friendly gathering on Armour Hill at the Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter St E.) on Tuesday (September 30). Everyone is welcome to attend.
The rain-or-shine event will begin with a sunrise ceremony at 7 a.m. and will include opening remarks from Elders, guest speakers, cultural teachings, and reflections. The gathering will continue until 1 p.m. with children’s activities, door prizes, a round dance, storytelling, traditional music, a sacred fire, and more.
In honour of Orange Shirt Day, participants are encouraged to wear an orange shirt as a visible sign of solidarity and to help spark important conversations about the ongoing impacts of the residential school system.
Parking at the Peterborough Museum and Archives may be limited so Peterborough Transit will be running a shuttle bus from the Peterborough Transit Terminal (190 Simcoe St.) to the museum. The shuttle will depart from the terminal every 30 minutes beginning at 8:05 a.m., and the last will leave the Peterborough Museum and Archives at 12:15 p.m.
The Peterborough Urban Indigenous Working Group consists of representatives from the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, City of Peterborough, Lovesick Lake Native Women’s Association, Lakelands Public Health, the Peterborough Community Health Centre, and community members.
Watch “Bones of Crows” with the Town of Cobourg
VIDEO: “Bones of Crows” trailer
The Town of Cobourg is inviting residents to watch Bones of Crows, a film by award-winning Métis playwright and director Marie Clements, in the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.) on Tuesday (September 30), with free screenings at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Unfolding over 100 years, the film follows a Cree musical prodigy’s survival of the residential school system, and her family generations spent fighting against systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. Admission is free, though the film is rated 14+ and portrays difficult moments.
From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will also be historical prompts and conversational pieces stationed outside Victoria Hall and moved to the lobby for the evening. Visitors are invited to leave messages of reflection on two orange Adirondack chairs which will be relocated to the harbour and placed near the Waterfront Wisdom Pathway.
Join the Alderville First Nation “Every Child Matters” Walk
Beginning at 10:45 a.m., Alderville First Nation will host the annual “Every Child Matters Walk” beginning at Alderville Health and Social Services (8467 Highway 45, Roseneath).
Participants will walk north to the Alderville First Nation Community Centre and be returned by bus.
Participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts and stay for the welcoming ceremony following the walk.
Reflect at the Remembrance Ceremony at the Boyd Museum in Bobcaygeon
The Truth and Reconciliation Community Bobcaygeon and the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge will be hosting an annual Remembrance Ceremony at the Boyd Heritage Museum (21 Canal St. E.) to commemorate the history and ongoing impact of residential schools.
Beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday (September 30), the ceremony will be followed by a walk to the Gdinuhwendimin “We Are Related” Friendship Garden at Bobcaygeon Beach Park.
Three members of Curve Lake First Nation — drummer and musician Janet McCue, former City of Peterborough poet laureate Sarah Lewis, and educator Brittany Taylor — will also be present. Donations will go to the school at Curve Lake First Nation.
Browse the “Art + Waste in Panniqtung” Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Peterborough
VIDEO: “Art + Waste in Panniqtuuq”
Before October 5, head to the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent St.) to see the “Art + Waste in Panniqtuuq” exhibition, created by an ad hoc collective of artists aiming to bring awareness to the urgent waste crisis in the Arctic community of Panniqtuuq, Nunavut.
The climate crisis is causing the permafrost to melt in the remote community and, as demand for natural resources increases, unprecedented volumes of waste and contaminants are causing dramatic changes and damage to the land, sea, and ice.
Inuit artists featured in the exhibit include Madeleine Aasivak Qumuataq, Jupa Ishulutak, Kawtysie Kakee, Annie Kilabuk, David Kilabuk, Talia Metuq, Oleepika Nashalik, and Malaya Pitsiulak, alongside settler artist and researcher Micky Renders.
Related events include a speaking circle on environmental racism from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday (October 1) at Trent University, an artist talk by David Kilabuk from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday (October 2) at The Canadian Canoe Museum, an artist talk by Madeline Aasivak Qumuataq at 11 a.m. on Saturday (October 4) at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, and a soapstone carving workshop with Jupa Ishulutak and Malaya Pitsiulak from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday (October 5) at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
For more information and to register for the soapstone carving workshop, visit agp.on.ca/exhibitions/art-and-waste-in-panniqtuuq/
