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Orange Shirt Enamel Pin in front of Museum

The City of Port Colborne will recognize and observe Sept. 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The first observance of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was Sept. 30, 2021, following the identification of unmarked burials at former Indian Residential School sites.

The City of Port Colborne is raising the Every Child Matters flag at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at 10 a.m. to remember and honour the survivors of the residential school system, and the children who never made it home. The flag will be raised from Sept. 26 to Oct. 3.

“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to reflect and acknowledge a dark time in Canadian history,” said Mayor Bill Steele. “As one of the first steps in our long journey towards meaningful reconciliation, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is to provide opportunities for individuals to participate in educational and commemorative activities. As a community, I ask residents to take time on this day to reflect and honour the survivors of residential schools.”

For individuals interested in educational resources, visit the Port Colborne Public Library to explore its collection of books by Indigenous authors, illustrators, and publishers. The collections include adult and children’s titles. Featured books on Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day include:

  • A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
  • In this Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth & Reconciliation
  • Legacy: Trauma, Story, and Indigenous Health by Suzanne Methot
  • Truth and Indignation by Ronald Niezen
  • Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance by Jesse Wente
  • When we are Kind by Monique Gray Smith; illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
  • When we were Alone by David A. Robertson and Julie Flett
  • Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell; pictures by Kim LaFave
  • Shin-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell; pictures by Kim LaFave
  • Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew; pictures by Joe Morse
  • Orange Shirt Day: September 30th by the Orange Shirt Society

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation also coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013 and encourages people to wear orange shirts to honour Indigenous children forced to leave their families to attend residential schools.

In recognition of Orange Shirt Day, The Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum is selling Orange Shirt enamel pins based on a beadwork design created by Cree artist Marcy Friesen in honour of the Residential School Survivors. The pins are $11.50, and the proceeds go to the Saskatoon Survivors Circle and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, organizations providing services to residential school survivors for more than 20 years.

Municipal offices, including City Hall, Operations Centre, Port Colborne Public Library, Roselawn Centre, and L.R. Wilson Heritage Research Archives, will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, to recognize Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Vale Health & Wellness Centre, Sugarloaf Marina, and Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum, including Arabella’s Tea Room, will remain open, operating regular business hours.

The city’s corporate leadership has been providing staff with educational resources to continue the corporation’s education on the Residential School System and the 94 Calls to Action established by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Municipal offices will re-open Mon., Oct. 3, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. to continue to assist by phone, email, walk-in, or appointment. Residents requiring our Public Works department can call 905-835-2900 and press ‘9’ to reach the after-hours dispatch. Alternatively, if it is not a public works emergency, residents can submit a service request using our online form at www.portcolborne.ca/requestaservice.