National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The City of Belleville will be hosting a special ceremony in Market Square beginning at 11 a.m. to honour this important event.

The ceremony will consist of a number of wonderful guest speakers including Chief R. Don Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, residential school survivor Wilbert Maracle and Indigenous artist Angela Wiggins, as well as musical performances by Jennifer Brant. An ASL interpreter will be present for the event. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange in honour of Orange Shirt Day.

Those unable to attend the event are encouraged to recognize the day in other ways, by educating themselves, supporting local Indigenous organizations or causes, or participating in other events or activities.

Belleville Public Library has developed a variety of displays, book and resource lists, and borrowing collections which will be available in various digital and physical formats for patrons interested in learning more about Indigenous history, Truth and Reconciliation, and the horrific legacy of the Residential Schools in Canada. The Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County have a number of resources online for those interested in learning more about local Indigenous history. More information on Truth and Reconciliation including the Calls to Action, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Residential School History and more can be found on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website.

In addition to the Sept. 30 ceremony, the Belleville sign, Bridge Street Bridge and Fire Station #1 Memorial Garden will be lit in orange for the week. The flag at City Hall will also be lowered to half-staff as we remember and mourn all victims of the residential school system.

“On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour the survivors of residential schools and the children who never made it home, their families and communities,” said Mayor Neil Ellis. “I would like to thank each of the speakers for our Truth and Reconciliation event for offering to share their truth with us. Education is a vital component of the reconciliation process and I hope all residents will take this opportunity to learn, reflect and build relationships with each other.”

A 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for former residential school students. Emotional crisis referral services can be accessed by calling: 1-866-925-4419. 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