How Waterloo Region is marking the 2024 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Monday, September 30, 2024 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this date, people across Canada take the time to reflect, remember, and honour those impacted by Canada’s residential school system – the children who never returned home, their families and their communities.
Recognizing the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is an important part of the reconciliation process.
September 30 is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day inspired by the story of residential school Survivor Phyllis Webstad. You can read her full story about wearing an orange shirt to a residential school here.
Orange Shirt Day calls for every Canadian to wear an orange shirt on September 30 and is a national movement to recognize the experience of those who went to residential schools, to honour them, and show a collective commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters.
The Region of Waterloo is situated on the land traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton Peoples. Click here to learn more about Indigenous history and culture here in Waterloo Region.
Do you know about the Reconciliation Action Partnership? Also called RAP, this is a collaborative group of municipal representatives working to coordinate efforts to support Indigenous-centred initiatives across Waterloo Region. Learn more about what they do!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events around Waterloo Region for 2024:
You can also find this list of community events on RAP’s webpage.
September 25, 2024
Orange Shirt Day Beading Workshop
4 p.m.
1 North Square, Cambridge
Host or organizer: Cambridge Art Galleries
September 27, 2024
Orange Shirt Pin Workshop
4-8 p.m.
65 Hanson Avenue, Kitchener
Host or organizer: White Owl Native Ancestry
Orange Shirt Day Pack Walk in support of Woodland Cultural Centre
6:30-8 p.m.
Huron Natural Area, 826 Trillium Drive, Kitchener
Host or organizer: Dog Friendly KW
September 28, 2024
21st Annual Powwow, Gidinawendamin Ska’Nikú-Lát
10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
University of Waterloo, Columbia Icefield (CIF), Outdoor Field 7
220 Columbia St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 0A1
Along the Grand Photography Workshop
1-4 p.m.
McDougall Cottage, 89 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge
September 29, 2024
Sacred Fire & Vigil for NDTR
7 p.m.
Victoria Park Playground, Kitchener
Host or organizer: O:se Kenhionhata:tie
Grounding & Gathering to Honour the Children
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
YMCA Camp Kiway, Hessen Strasse, Wellesley
Host or organizer: Crow Shield Lodge
September 30, 2024
Every Child Matters Walk with Grand River Transit Bus
10 a.m.
300 Frederick Street, Kitchener
Host or organizer: Healing of the Seven Generations
4th Annual Cambridge Orange Shirt Day
7-9 p.m.
Cambridge City Hall, 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge
Host or organizer: KW Urban Native Wigwam Project, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, Crow Shield Lodge
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
7 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
University of Waterloo, B.C. Matthews Hall (BMH) Green
Host or organizer: University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations
Beaded Broach Workshop with Cecilia Elizabeth Best
1-4 p.m.
Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, 25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo
Host or organizer: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery