Wasaga Beach Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, September 30, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will reopen with regular hours on Thursday, October 1.

Each year, September 30 marks both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The day honours Survivors of the residential school system, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history and ongoing intergenerational impacts of residential schools and to reflect on the work of reconciliation.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which called for a statutory holiday to honour Survivors, their families and communities and ensure the history and legacy of residential schools remain part of public commemoration.

Orange Shirt Day grew from the experience of residential school Survivor Phyllis Webstad. When she was six years old, the new orange shirt her grandmother had bought her was taken away when she arrived at St. Joseph Mission Residential School. The orange shirt has since become a symbol of remembrance and recognition that Every Child Matters.

Events in Simcoe County

There are opportunities throughout our region to gather, learn and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

View Truth and Reconciliation events taking place across Simcoe County

The Government of Canada also maintains a national listing of commemorative activities, including events taking place in Ontario and across the country.

Explore National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities across Canada

Continue Learning

Reconciliation does not begin or end on September 30. Learning about the history and legacy of residential schools, listening to Indigenous voices, understanding treaties and Indigenous histories, and considering the actions we can take in our own communities can all be part of an ongoing process.

Here are some resources to continue learning:

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Government of Canada: Learn more about the significance of September 30, Orange Shirt Day and the history and legacy of residential schools. Explore the Government of Canada resources
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Government of Ontario: Find information and resources for learning about the day and reconciliation in Ontario. Explore Ontario’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation resources
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s reports, including the 94 Calls to Action, The Survivors Speak and the Commission’s final report. Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• Orange Shirt Society: Learn more about Orange Shirt Day and hear Phyllis Webstad’s story in her own words. Visit the Orange Shirt Society
• Personal Acts of Reconciliation — CBC: Explore ways individuals can take part in reconciliation and consider what reconciliation can look like in everyday life. Read the CBC article

Read, Watch and Listen

There are many ways to continue learning through books, films and podcasts. A few resources to explore include Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, & Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel, as well as films including Indian Horse, We Were Children and Qimmit: A Clash of Two Truths.

For those who prefer to listen, CBC/Radio-Canada’s Telling Our Twisted Histories explores Indigenous histories through the words and perspectives of Indigenous people, while Reconciliation Reality Check with Murray Sinclair features a conversation about reconciliation with the former Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Visit the Library

Before or after September 30, stop by WBPL to explore our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation book display.

We’ve brought together a selection of books from our collection to support learning and reflection about Indigenous histories, experiences and perspectives, residential schools, and reconciliation. Browse the display and borrow a title to continue your learning at home.

September 30 is an opportunity to remember, listen, learn and reflect. We encourage our community to carry that learning forward—not only on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but throughout the year.