The Municipality of Kincardine will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by honouring former residential school students and their families. The orange Every Child Matters flags and the Canadian Flag will be lowered to half-mast for September 30th.
The public can pick up Orange Shirt Day stickers, Every Child Matters stickers and information about Canada’s Residential School system at the Visitor Centre, Davidson Centre and the Municipal Administration Centre.
A media release from the municipality stated that Orange Shirt Day grew from Phyllis Webstad’s story as a survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in British Columbia. On her first day of school in 1973, Phyllis’ new orange shirt was taken away along with the rest of her clothes. She was 6 years old.
On June 3, 2021, Canada declared September 30 a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to coincide with Orange Shirt Day in recognition of the harm that the residential school system caused to Indigenous children.
Approximately 150,000 Métis, Inuit and First Nations children attended Canadian residential schools between the 1860s and the 1990s, 6,000 of whom are estimated to have died amid abuse and neglect according to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“My thoughts and condolences are with those who continue to suffer from the tragic legacy of the residential school system,” says Mayor Gerry Glover. “I hope everyone across the municipality – and the country - will join me in wearing orange on September 30 to honour the healing journey of survivors and their families.”
Meantime, The Township of Huron Kinloss will also mark the day. A media release says public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The Every Child Matters flag has been raised on community flag poles in the Township for the month of September and will fly at half-mast on Thursday, September 30th to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.