Last week was Truth and Reconciliation week, and tomorrow, Tuesday, September 30, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This is a time to reflect on the tragic legacy of residential schools and honour the Survivors, their families, and their communities. This day invites us to pause, acknowledge the truth, and learn from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledge keepers as part of the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation.
To commemorate this day, the Town of Golden has raised the Survivors’ Flag in Spirit Square. This flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. The Métis Nation Columbia River Society invites the community to join in reflection, remembrance and community healing tomorrow, September 30, at the Golden Civic Centre starting at 1 p.m. Check out their Facebook group for more details.
Golden is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc people and is the chosen home of the Métis Nation Columbia River Society and other diverse Indigenous people. The Town recognizes and acknowledges the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools and honours the Survivors, their families and communities. One of Council’s corporate-wide priorities is Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. This priority focuses on training, purposeful regional engagement, acknowledgement, and consultation.
Learn, reflect and engage:
- Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation here: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
- Learn more about Orange Shirt Day at www.orangeshirtday.org
- Learn about Indigenous history in the Golden area: https://www.tourismgolden.com/about/indigenous-peoples
- Free virtual programs and education: https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: https://nctr.ca/
Please note that Town Hall and Recreation facilities will be closed on Tuesday, September 30 in honour of the statutory holiday.