In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, the North Bay will raise the 'Every Child Matters' flag on Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at Leger Square, outside City Hall.
The community is invited to attend.
The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.
September 30 also marks Orange Shirt Day.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations, says the Canadian Government.
The Ontario Native Women’s Association says it remains committed to the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties and families "whose lives have been irreparably harmed by the tragic effects of the Residential School System. We honour their resilience and support their fight for justice."
"Orange Shirt Day is a day for education, reflection and action on Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples," says a news release.
It began with the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor whose orange shirt was taken away on her first day at St. Joseph Mission residential school. Her defiance continues to lead the call for justice on behalf of all residential school survivors.
By wearing an orange shirt on National Truth and Reconciliation Day, show your commitment that every child matters, every day and everywhere.
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