About the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5 received Royal Assent to add a new holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors. Every Sept. 30, the Town of Georgina joins Canada in observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, along with their families and communities. By acknowledging the tragic history and impacts of residential schools, the Town participates in the reconciliation process by having compassion and understanding for the communities affected and the intergenerational trauma it has caused. It's hard to understand what you don't know and that's why promoting education on reconciliation is one of the most powerful tools. This statutory holiday established by the federal government encourages people to reflect and unite to support healing for Indigenous communities. The Town honours Indigenous voices, working to promote awareness and pave the way for a future that prioritizes healing through truth and reconciliation. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action.
If you want to learn more, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario offer further information and resources about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Orange shirt day
In 2013, Sept. 30 was declared Orange Shirt Day. This day acknowledges the harm and trauma caused by the residential school system and reminds everyone of its impact, which is still felt today. It also affirms our commitment to ensuring everyone around us matters.
The orange shirt represents a garment snatched from Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a residential school survivor. At age six, Phyllis's excitement over her new orange shirt, given by her grandmother, was shattered when it was confiscated at the Mission school. This symbolizes the loss of worth, culture and identity faced by Indigenous children in these institutions. On Sept. 30, everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt to ensure it is never forgotten that "Every Child Matters." To learn more, visit orangeshirtday.org.
Indigenous commemorative and awareness days
Indigenous commemorative and awareness days
May 5 is Red Dress Day. It is a day in solidarity and support for people impacted by the violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited peoples in Canada. The hanging red dresses represent the pain and loss felt by families, survivors and communities.
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations Peoples throughout Canada.
The first week in November is Treaties Recognition Week, which honours the importance of Treaties and helps Ontario students and residents understand the significance of Treaty rights, Treaty relationships and their relevance today.
Indigenous art installations
Nanabush
Located at the revitalized Uptown Keswick Parkette, Nanabush is a sculpture by Ron Baird in collaboration with Indigenous consultant Jared BigCanoe.
An original piece depicting Nanabush, the son of Winona, an Ojibwe woman and Epingishmook, the spirit of the west wind. He is described as a trickster, and a larger-than-life half-god half-human, born with the ability to shapeshift.
In this piece, Nanabush is moving as the wind while he shapeshifts into a waabooz (rabbit).
Commissioned by the Town of Georgina and Uptown Keswick Business Improvement Area to celebrate Indigenous culture and history in the public realm. Pictured on the left above. Learn more about Public Art in Georgina.
Old Fox Woman
Sculpture by Ron Baird in collaboration with Indigenous consultant Jared BigCanoe.
Old Fox Woman is a trickster spirit. Being part fox, she is a sly and intelligent matriarch who knows her way around the forest and is always thinking a few steps ahead. Should you be fortunate enough to spend some time with the Old Fox Woman, you will find it impossible to walk away unchanged. She is powerful, helpful and filled with love to share.
Her purpose is aligned with helping those in younger generations find their way in life.
The Town, in partnership with the downtown Sutton BIA, installed this sculpture at the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture to celebrate indigenous culture in the community. Pictured on the right above. Learn more about Public Art in Georgina.
Spirit of the Harbour Past and Present
Artwork mural by Lauri Hoeg of Georgina Island.
For those who visit the Jackson’s Point Harbour, it is an interconnective experience of the land, water, and the sacred creatures that make it their home. In this woodland-inspired artwork, you feel the interconnection between all things, an Anishinaabe worldview. Spirit is represented as a circular purple shape in the sky. Connected to Spirit is the Eagle, leader of all the birds and the most scared of all the winged creatures because he flies highest in the sky and closest to Creator. For the swans and otters, the water is their playground and home, they are our teachers of how to live life in the right relationship with the lake. In the foreground, we see seven grandfathers representing our seven grandfather teachings.
Every Child Matters Crosswalk
Information about the crosswalk
The Town of Georgina, in partnership with the Chippewas of Georgina Island, held the official ribbon cutting of the Every Child Matters crosswalk on May 14, 2022. It is located in front of the Island View Business Centre/Georgina Island Ferry dock.
The crosswalk is designed to bring awareness that all children matter and to bring recognition to the adult survivors who are continuing to heal from the trauma of residential schools. The unique design of the crosswalk has been inquired about from municipalities from southern Ontario to the Yukon. Learn more about the official opening of the crosswalk in the Media Release.
On Sept. 22, 2022, the Region of York, in partnership with the Town of Georgina and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, held the official unveiling of a second Every Child Matters Crosswalk in Georgina. It is located at Dalton Road and Black River Road. The event included an opening song, smudging ceremony, remarks and a ribbon cutting. Like the first crosswalk, this one helps to raise awareness of the victims and survivors of Canada’s residential school system, while also helping to advance reconciliation through renewed relationships with Indigenous partners.
Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation
The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation are an Ojibwa (or Anishinaabeg) people located on Georgina Island in Lake Simcoe. Their website includes a storytelling section where you can read and hear stories of life on Georgina Island.
Read about Residential Schools
More about residential schools and additional resources
Witness Blanket, voices of survivors from Canada's residential school system: Inspired by a woven blanket, explore the items and stories carried by the Witness Blanket. They are accompanied by the voices of survivors who talk about the experience of being forced into residential schools. Their generous and insightful stories convey the reality of anti-Indigenous racism, colonialism and genocide.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is an advocacy organization that offers a toolkit to learn about residential schools and treaties. AFN also shares stories, traditions and teachings from Canada's First Nations communities.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) offers an in-depth education on residential schools' impacts on First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It preserves and honours survivors' truths for future generations. NCTR, through the University of Manitoba, also offers many online and in-person education opportunities to people who wish to learn more.
The Orange Path is a movement that helps people shape their path toward reconciliation. It is a resource to support Indigenous survivors and community members on their journey toward healing, and to help all Canadians on their journey to truth, reconciliation and allyship.
Mental health support available
Mental Health Support
A National Residential School Crisis Line is available to support former residential school students and their families. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the free-of-charge 24-hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. The Government of Canada offers additional crisis referral services and information on other health support.
Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to the Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
Find additional community and social support and resources at 211 Ontario.
For a list of local community resources visit our Community Resources page.
Land Acknowledgement
The Town of Georgina recognizes and acknowledges that we are on lands originally used and occupied by the First Peoples of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of the Mayor and Council, we would like to thank them for sharing this land. We would also like to acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our close neighbour and friend, one with which we strive to build a cooperative and respectful relationship.
We also recognize the unique relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory. They are the water protectors and environmental stewards of these lands, and we join them in these responsibilities.