How to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Waterloo region and Guelph

Monday is Canada's fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and there are a number of events planned in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County over the weekend and on Monday to mark it.

The day is for honouring and rememberingchildren who died, as well as those who survived, in residential schools. It's a time to reflect on the families and communities still affected by lasting trauma.

In conjunction, Orange Shirt day is an Indigenous-led initiative to raise awareness of the intergenerational impacts of residential schools. All Canadians are encouraged to wear orange on Monday.

Many local groups are holding events to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation over the weekend and on Monday.

Gidinawendamin/Ska'niklt annual Pow Wow

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

University of Waterloo, Columbia Icefield

In its 21st year, this free event is hosted by the Shatitsirtha' Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre and the University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations.

It will feature dancers, music, art, food and various vendors and it's open to the community. The Grand Entry will take place at 12 p.m.

• University of Waterloo event page

Reconciliation Walk 2024 in Guelph

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Riverside Park

The Rotary Club of Guelph and True North Aidhave created a free educational walk with reading stations along a wooded trail. The walk takes approximately 1 hour to complete and is accessible anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear orange shirts.

• Rotary Club of Guelph event page

Sacred Fire and Vigil

Sunday, 7 p.m.

Willow River/Victoria Park, Kitchener

O:se Kenhionhata:tie is a group formed for Two Spirit, queer, trans or non-binary Indigenous young people and are hosting this event for anyone who wishes to "honour those who never made it home and those who did." They ask attendees to bring a blanket or chairs, a candle and to wear orange.

• Sacred Fire and Vigil event page

Sunrise ceremony and gathering

Monday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

B.C. Matthews HallGreen, University of Waterloo

The day will begin with a sunrise ceremony, followed by anIndigenous gathering Space opening and commitment polishing ceremony.

There will be a walk around Ring Road at 11 a.m., followed by a soup and bannock lunch with drumming and dancing. People are asked to register ahead of the event.

• University of Waterloo event page

Anishnabeg Outreach's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event

Monday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

1160 Spitzig Road, Woolwich

AO is back with Sustainable Waterloo Region, Home Depot and others to finish the planting and mulching of the edible micro-forest they started last year. Home Depot will host a barbecue in the afternoon.

• Anishnabeg Outreach Facebook Page

The Healing of the Seven Generations #EveryChildMatters walk

Monday, 10 a.m.

300 Frederick St., Kitchener, Ont.

The Healing of the Seven Generations is hosting "a walk to remember and honour all our children" starting at their location and heading down Victoria Park, ending at the clock tower. There will be drumming and speakers afterwards.

• The Healing of the Seven Generations page

Walk for Reconciliation

Monday, 10 a.m.

University of Guelph

People are asked to gather at the Maada'oonidiwag sculpture and walk to Branion Plaza, where the campus community will honour families, children and communities with words from survivors and reflections on reconciliation.

There will also be a drop-in support available at their Indigenous Support Centre from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• University of Guelph event page

The Stories They Never HeardMemorial Walk

Monday, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Schmidt Woods, Wilmot Recreation Complex

A memorial walk is being held by the Township of Wilmot, Indigenous Women's healing Circle, Wilmot Family Resource Centre and Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School. Attendees should bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on during this event.

Participants are encouraged to register for free so that organizers can plan for refreshments.

• Event and registration page

Roots to Reconciliation: Songs and Stories with Rene Meshake

Monday, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Guelph Civic Museum

Rene Meshake is an Anishinaabe elder, visual and performing artist, author, flute player, storyteller and new media artist. His experiences as a residential school survivor lead him to create a "reflective journey with his Pipigwan (flute), drums and storytelling."

The event will last 60 minutes with a short break and is free and open to the public.

• Guelph Museums page

Orange Shirt Day March

Monday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Civic Square (50 Dickson Street) and 27 Cambridge Street

Southwestern Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, K-W Urban Native Wigwam Projectand Crow Shield Lodge are hosting their 4th annual Truth and Reconciliation event.

A march from Civic Square to K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project will end with a sacred fire, drumming performances and a candlelit moment of silence.

• Explore Waterloo Region event page

Waterloo and Kitchener Public Library

Both Waterloo and Kitchener Public Library have created reading lists and resources in honour of the day that can be found below.

Kitchener Public Library is also host to an ongoing art installation, #hopeandhealingCanada, by Tracey-Mae Chambers. The piece is meant to approach the subject of decolonization and will stay up until Oct. 31, 2024.

• Waterloo Public Library resources
• Kitchener Public Library resources

Follow CBC's coverage of the day

CBC has an extensive lineup of Indigenous-led original programming showcasing First Nations, Mtis and Inuit perspectives and experiences across all platforms and ina live special.

• Ottawa will be hosting a 90-minute ceremony from Parliament Hill to honourresidential schools survivors, their families and their communities. This includes the programRemembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
• CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault will host special coverage of the event live at 2:30 p.m.on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, CBC News streaming channels, CBCNews.ca, CBC News app and the CBC News YouTube Channel.
• Falen Johnson will host highlights from the day in Ottawa plus interviews with special guestsat 8 p.m. ET. on CBC Radio and CBC Listen.

Did we miss an event?Let us know so we can add it.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour service at 1-866-925-4419.

Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 orby online chat.