National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. In accordance with the municipality’s Flag Policy, South Huron will be flying the “Every Child Matters” flag at half mast, which was acquired at Thunderbird Crafts in Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.

The Municipality of South Huron along with local schools will be commemorating National Day For Truth and Reconciliation with a community walk in Exeter. Beginning at 9:15am, the walk will depart the Town Hall parking lot with an anticipated 900 students and complete a 1.5km circle loop along the route of Main, Wellington, Andrew and Gidley streets before concluding in the Town Hall parking lot.

All members of the community are invited to join the walk and gather at the conclusion for a brief messaging service by Ms. Monique Pregent, Indigenous Education Lead with the Avon Maitland District School Board. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to honour the Indigenous Children whose lives were lost and altered by residential schools.

Motorists, please be advised that streets along the walking route will be closed during this event with emergency vehicle access, only. Road closure information can be found at https://511on.ca/