September 30th – National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

The Village will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliaiton on Monday September 30th.

The Village of Gold River will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30th.

The federal government designated this day to honour the survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities. The day is a time to reflect on the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools in Canada.

In recognition of this day, the Village of Gold River office and facilities will be closed on Monday, September 30th.

The Village encourages employees and the wider community to observe this important day, whether through personal reflection, education, participating in awareness activities in your community, or wearing orange to raise awareness that ‘Every Child Matters.’

For more information about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, please visit the Government of Canada’s website at www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html

Organizations sharing information and hosting free events and webinars for Truth and Reconciliation:

• Orange Shirt Society: Dedicated to raising awareness about the lasting impacts of the residential school system in Canada and promoting the message that “Every Child Matters.” The society fosters reconciliation through education and community engagement: https://orangeshirtday.org/
• Discover the Witness Blanket: A large-scale work of art containing hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings, and cultural structures across Canada: https://witnessblanket.ca
• Moose Hide Campaign: The Moose Hide Campaign is a nationwide movement that began in BC, uniting men and boys to end violence against women and children. Please view the PDF to learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and how you can show your support: www.moosehidecampaign.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Honouring-truth-reconciliation-2023.pdf
• Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (UBC): Provides online access to records supporting education on the history, legacy, and ongoing impacts of the Indian Residential School system. Learn about schools and others records: https://collections.irshdc.ubc.ca/Explore/schools
• Royal BC Museum: Explore their learning portal, which pays tribute to Residential School survivors. Discover resources: https://learning.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/?post_type=&s=residential

For additional reading, watching, or listening materials, explore the Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Indigenous Interest page: https://virl.bc.ca/read-watch-listen/audience/indigenous/