Peterborough Recognizing National Truth and Reconciliation Day Honouring Residential School Victims

Observed in 2013 and elevated to a statutory holiday, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours survivors of the residential school system and the children who didn’t make it home.

Crystal Scrimshaw (pictured) was part of the City’s efforts and official recognition of Truth and Reconciliation last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Friday is the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day concludes the Truth and Reconciliation Week from Monday to Friday.

Wearing orange on this day is a symbol of support and recognition for those who attended residential schools.

This holiday was created through Parliament’s legislative amendments, under the Call to Action #80 from the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015.

As well as remembering these children, Truth and Reconciliation Day/Week gives Canadians the opportunity to educate, listen and learn about the treatment of Indigenous peoples.

“September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Formerly known as “Orange Shirt Day,” it originated as a day for all Canadians to learn about and reflect on the horrific treatment of Indigenous children at residential schools across Canada,” said Diane Therrien, Peterborough mayor in her statement. “Children were taken from their parents and held against their will. Parents were threatened with arrest when they resisted the apprehension of their children. The first residential schools opened in the 1880s. The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996. For over 100 years, children were stolen from their families, their communities, and their homes.”

The City Hall flags are half-mast on Friday with the lights at Centennial Fountain being lit orange.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Trent University Honours Local Michi Saagiig on National Truth and Reconciliation Day

To mark the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Trent University unveiled new installations paying tribute to the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg, on Thursday.

Treaty Rock unveiling on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The tribute highlights the importance of the original treaties pertaining to the land upon which the two campuses are built and honouring the original signatories of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg.

“For more than 50 years, Trent has been committed to providing education in Indigenous history, traditions, cultures, and Indigenous knowledges for students and the broader community,” said Julie Davis, Trent University vice-president of External Relations and Development. “As we honour Truth and Reconciliation Day, recognizing the local treaties and the Michi Saagiig people is foundational.”

On the Peterborough campus outside of Bata Library, the University unveiled three limestone boulders bearing the symbols of the dodem (clan totems) carvings of the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig signatories as well as a statement identifying the Symons Campus lands as being situated on Michi Saagiig traditional territory.

At Trent University Durham GTA, a new Treaty Wall has been installed in the front atrium of the campus featuring original signatory documents and a pre-confederation treaty map.

“Curve Lake First Nation and Trent University have a gold-standard relationship,” said Chief Emily Whetung of Curve Lake First Nation. “Trent University prioritizes hearing the teachings of our Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers and ensuring the teachings are respected. We are very pleased to see these installations, developed in a true partnership, come to life. The meaningful acknowledgment of our ancestral lands and the treaty in which Trent University is situated will raise awareness in all who pass through Trent University.”

The University has created a new webpage to advance the goals of education, reflection and action, and is sharing ways our communities can engage meaningfully in reconciliation and honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The webpage highlights important resources like the 94 Calls to Action, testimonies of residential school survivors and a list of local Indigenous businesses.

“Here at Trent, on this very important day, as we come together to remember and honour all those who were forced into the Indian residential schools, we are committing ourselves as an institution to engage in the process of reconciliation,” said Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, Trent University director of the First Peoples House of Learning, on Thursday. “As a small but important first step we must acknowledge the truth of our shared history and these installations were designed to educate all those who study, work, or visit our campuses. We give these places of honour to the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg, the original signatories of Treaty 20 and Williams Treaty, as a sign of respect and our commitment to do better and to work together in true partnership as the original treaties intended.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

City Bus Wrapped In Orange In Smudging Ceremony For National Day of Truth And Reconciliation

A city bus is on board for the “Every Child Matters” movement as it was wrapped in orange during a smudging ceremony to raise awareness of residential schools and encourage Indigenous reconciliation on Thursday.

Crystal Scrimshaw (pictured) was one of three people that brought the idea of the bus design to council. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

City council quickly approved the motion on Monday to have the bus covered in orange and the “Every Child Matters” wrap on it. The idea was brought forth by Crystal Scrimshaw, Kelli Marshal and Pam Goldsworthy.

Curve Lake Chief Emily Whetung, Mayor Diane Therrien, Coun. Stephen Wright and several other Indigenous supporters and representatives were in attendance.

“The most important thing is raising awareness and making sure the people know the true history of Canada so that they can learn and know what happened and make a choice to make it better,” said Chief Whetung.

“The circumstances behind it are obviously tragic but I think this is a beautiful artistic way to honour those children and to raise awareness about the fact that there’s going to be more children found,” said Therrien. “Hopefully it will educate Canadians more about the reality of residential schools and intergenerational trauma and impact its had on families.”

The bus circuited from town hall, down George Street and circled back around Water Street as a ceremonial lap. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The smudging ceremony was performed by Whetung’s father, Lorenzo Whetung. He purified the bus by waving burnt sage in an abalone shell with a feather.

The shell with the sage symbolizes a woman carrying life similar to the bus carrying and protecting people Lorenzo tells PTBOCanada.

(left to right) Coun. Stephen WriGht, Chief Emily Whetung, Mayor Diane Therrien, Crystal Scrimshaw and Pam Goldsworthy after the bus was cleansed from the smudging ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The orange wrap will remain on the bus for at least six months and then will be reevaluated for normal wear and tear after the winter.

“I think every time people are going to see this bus and that’s how you start learning and that’s what’s going to drive conversation,” explained Chief Whetung. “That’s what’s going to drive change.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.