Brant County Set to Honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Friday, 24 September 2021 at 14:05

County flags will be lowered to half-mast next Thursday and an "Every Child Matters" flag will be raised at the downtown Paris location and the Paris dam will be lit orange.

BRANT COUNTY - The County of Brant plans to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation next Thursday September 30.

Mayor David Bailey says it is a day to reflect and take action.

"We recognize the ongoing trauma caused by residential and day schools, and remember those who were lost, survivors and their families. I encourage all citizens to take action to become better educated about this tragic history and to build a better future together."

County flags will be lowered to half-mast next Thursday and an "Every Child Matters" flag will be raised at the downtown Paris location and the Paris dam will be lit orange.

Reconciliation is the responsibility of every Canadian. Here are a few things you can do:

- Learn about and acknowledge the past to ensure history never repeats. Let go of negative perceptions and stereotypes and work towards solidarity.

- To learn more, read documents such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice and visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.

- Take a tour of a former residential school site such as the Woodland Cultural Centre (virtual tours are currently available).

- Make a donation to the Woodland Cultural Centre and the Save the Evidence Campaign or support or volunteer for local Indigenous organizations.

- Wear an orange shirt on September 30 to stand in solidarity.

- Attend Indigenous cultural events open to the public.

- Participate at a local Library.

The County of Brant Public Library events include:

- A Storybook Walk of the children’s book Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, written by Phyllis Webstad; illustrated by Brock Nicol. The story will be placed in Lions Park in Paris and will be available starting at 10:00 am and will remain up until 8:00 pm. Families are invited throughout the day, to visit the park and read the story.

- Activities for children will be available for pick up at any of the library branches. The ‘Every Child Matters: My Orange Shirt’ allows children to create and design their own orange shirt, then colour, cut-out and display.

- Copies of an Orange Shirt Day reading list, with titles available in our collection for children, teens and adults are available.

- For a full list of library resources and activities, please visit www.brantlibrary.ca.