National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation Icon, an orange heart with a white hand print

National Truth and Reconciliation Week 2023 runs September 25-30. Saturday September 30 marks the 10 year anniversary of Orange Shirt Day. Wear an orange shirt to honour those who did and didn’t survive life in Canada’s residential schools.

Hamilton Public Library encourages the community to learn the stories, experiences and legacies of the children, families and communities forever impacted by those forced to attend Canada’s Residential Schools.

We have assembled a collection of books, movies and more focused on Indigenous voices, authors, storytellers, musicians, and artists.

Learn Their Stories. Respect Their Legacies.

Minute of Silence Sat Sep 30, 2:15pm 

HPL will observe a moment of silence at 2:15pm on Saturday September 30, 2023. The time chosen reflects the discovery of the remains of 215 children in a mass graveyard on a former residential school site in Kamloops, BC, in May 2021. 

Events

On September 30, celebrate Hamilton's newest piece of public art entitled "All Our Relations" by local indigenous artist, Angela DeMontigny and artist team Paull Rodrigue Glass, Cobalt Connects, Lafontaine Iron Werks Inc. and EXP.  The event begins with a Sunrise Sacred Fire ceremony, drumming at 10:30 am followed by remarks and performances at 11:00 am. View the schedule at the City of Hamilton website

Attend a Storytime featuring books by Indigenous authors on September 30, 10am at Central Library.

Read

We have recommended reads about the residential school experience, created in partnership with Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg. Also, check out HPL’s Staff Picks: #Indigenous Reads and Indigenous Reads for Kids and Teens.

Watch

Stream documentaries, educational videos and audio on Summa with your HPL library card.

Listen

Watch encore performances of Noon Hour Concerts by Lacey Hill, Rod Nettagog, an Indigenous Artists and Mohawk College Student Cultural engagement, and an Indigenous Dance and Song with Adrian and Ascension Harjo.

Learn more about Indigenous musicians and storytellers through their music and legacies.

Learn

Cherokee is an Iroquoian language, and the only Southern Iroquoian language spoken today. Visit Mango Languages with your HPL Library card to start learning the language and culture.

Learn more about the 94 Calls to Action listed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report.

 

Land AcknowledgmentThe City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land, so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.

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