Town of St. Marys to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024

Education and understanding remain focus for events

The Town of St. Marys will commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a week of activities focused on healing and education.

Beginning on Monday, September 30, the St. Marys Museum will host an exhibit titled ‘A National Crime: The Residential School Experience in Canada’ through the Legacy of Hope Foundation. The exhibit explores the creation of the Residential School System, the experiences of the students and the system’s impacts and traumas. It will also highlight Indigenous-led political action, healing and efforts towards reconciliation. The exhibit will be available for viewing during the Museum’s regular hours until January 2025.

From Monday, September 23 to Friday, September 27, the St. Marys Public Library will be showing virtual Lunch and Learns hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (www.nctr.ca). The showings will cover five different topics and will take place upstairs in the library starting at 1:00 p.m. each day. The St. Marys Public Library will also be livestreaming the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation broadcast from Parliament Hill at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30.

The National Truth and Reconciliation flag will be flown at Town facilities from Thursday, September 26 to Tuesday, October 1.

Individuals are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on Monday, September 30 to honour survivors of residential schools, in support of the “Every Child Matters” message. Those looking to purchase a shirt are encouraged to buy from Indigenous-owned businesses.

The Town of St. Marys is grateful for the input of many individuals who have helped us begin to understand and commit to a better future. We are especially grateful for the guidance and teachings of Patsy Ann Day who is helping us on this journey.  

For a full schedule of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events, please visit www.discoverstmarys.ca/truthandreconciliation.

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For media inquiries:

Stacey Frayne, Marketing and Communications Specialist
519-284-2340, ext. 218 | sfrayne@town.stmarys.on.ca