September 30th is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. This 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. Learn more about this important day here.
If you are looking for a way to observe this important day, check out these things happening in Halifax:
These resources have been collected from local resources such as Family Fun Halifax
- Friday, September 29, 2023 @ 7PM - Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 @ 11AM - Kismen Community Centre, Lower Sackville - A free family event to honour our indigenous community with traditional music, crafts, vendors and a kids craft corner.
- Saturday, September 30, 2023 @ 10AM - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Flag Raising and Proclamation reading - Halifax City Hall
- Every day in October @ 7PM - Mi’kmaq History Month Lightshow - Old Halifax Memorial Libary
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and think about how you can implement the Calls to Action in your own life.
- Learn how to pronounce National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Mi'kmaw.
- The Museum of Natural History and The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will be open with free admission.
- Read Out of the Depths: The experiences of Mi’kmaw children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia by Isabelle Knockwood, and other memoirs by survivors.
- Watch We Were Children (available on Amazon Prime) and Indian Horse (available on Netflix).
- Wear an orange shirt, preferably one designed by an indigenous artist.
- Watch Gord Downie’s Secret Path.
- Learn about the Mi’kmaw communities whose land you live on and visit the three First Nations in Halifax Regional Municipality.
- Visit Indigenous cultural heritage sites to learn about the traditions, culture, and resilience of your local communities.
- Visit the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, and Peace and Friendship Park in Halifax.
- Have conversations with the people in your life about what reconciliation means and why it’s important.
- Support Indigenous artists, drummers, singers, dancers, language learners and small business owners. They are helping communities heal.
