Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a flag raising and Tiny Shoe Memorial

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m., the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, in partnership with the Town of Georgina, will hold a flag raising at the Civic Centre. The event will honour the children who never came home, the survivors of residential schools and the families and communities forever changed.

A reminder – the Civic Centre and all Town facilities will be closed tomorrow, Sept. 30. Many Town services remain available online at your convenience. Visit georgina.ca/OnlineServices to see what’s available.

As part of the day, a Tiny Shoe Memorial will be created in partnership with Island View Business Centre. The shoes are a national symbol of the children lost to the residential school system, each pair a reminder of the young lives that never returned home. Please consider donating new or lightly used children's shoes or boots. Donations may be dropped off at the event or in advance at Tobacco Trails/GoIn Fuels (78 Hadden Rd.) All shoes will be donated to children's organizations in need

The Town encourages everyone to wear an orange shirt purchased from organizations that support Indigenous charities, including Tobacco Trails/GoIn Fuels. This day is an opportunity for meaningful reflection or participation in community events that honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, along with their families and communities. Learn more at georgina.ca/TruthandReconciliation. 

About the Tiny Shoe Memorial

Children's shoes have become a powerful symbol in Canada's movement for truth and reconciliation. They represent the innocent lives of Indigenous children lost to the residential school system. Each pair of shoes reminds us of the young spirits who embarked on a journey they never chose – a journey that led many away from their families and, heartbreakingly, kept many from ever returning home. Read more about the significance of the Tiny Shoe Memorial. 

Learn about the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Established in 2021, this federal holiday honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors and remembers the children lost to residential schools. Each Sept. 30, Georgina joins communities across Canada in reflection and learning.

By acknowledging the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, the Town supports reconciliation through compassion, understanding and education. This statutory holiday encourages reflection, unity and healing, while amplifying Indigenous voices and paving the way for a future built on truth and reconciliation.



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 

Since 2013, Sept. 30 has also been 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.

Learn more about residential schools

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.



If you want to know more about what it was like in the residential schools, watch the NFB documentary "We Were Children" (2012). We all have a part to play in meaningful change toward Truth and Reconciliation. 

Indigenous art installations and Every Child Matters crosswalks

In Georgina, Indigenous art holds a special place, weaving a beautiful tapestry of culture, history and resilience. From the stunning sculptures of Nanabush and Old Fox Woman, created by Ron Baird in collaboration with Jared BigCanoe, to Lauri Hoeg's captivating Four Seasons on the Water mural, these artistic expressions celebrate the rich heritage of First Nations communities. The Every Child Matters crosswalks, designed in partnership with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing healing journey for residential school survivors.



Through these artistic representations, we honour Indigenous voices, promote understanding and forge stronger bonds of Truth and Reconciliation in our community, paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate future. Learn more at georgina.ca/PublicArt. 

Mental health supports available

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.

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.