September 21, 2022
September 30 marks the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day designated to honour the survivors of and the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of this tragic and painful history and the ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The City of Edmonton will recognize the significance of this day in a number of ways.
A commemorative crosswalk, originally installed last year, will be freshly repainted on September 21. iHuman Youth Society and the City of Edmonton partnered to create the Every Child Matters crosswalk art at the intersection of 99 Street and 103a Avenue. This symbolic piece at the heart of the City is an ongoing reminder that reconciliation in this city is a path we walk every day.
The City also partnered with iHuman Youth Society to wrap a bus in Indigenous artwork. The bus will be on-site at commemorative events on September 30, including the Root for Trees event at Kinsmen Park, and then be in year-round circulation.
The City, through its
Root for Trees program, will be giving away 1500 native species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers (first come, first served) as a way to honour the victims, families, friends, and intergenerational survivors of residential schools. We encourage Edmontonians to show their support by wearing an orange shirt to this event.
Also on September 30, flags will fly at half mast, the High Level Bridge will be lit orange, orange ribbons will be placed on city fleet vehicles, orange and white banners will be placed on the CityScape poles in Churchill Square and city staff will be wearing orange shirts or pins.
Employees with the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Service and Edmonton Public Library are being granted a day of leave with pay on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an opportunity to commemorate and reflect on the significance of the terrible history of Indian residential schools and the sad legacy that this has created.
Edmontonians can honour residential school survivors and their families by wearing an orange shirt. September 30 continues to be observed as Orange Shirt Day in recognition of the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day attending a residential school near Williams Lake, BC.
