Mayor’s statement on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023

Today is Canada’s annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day.

This day was officially enacted by Parliament in 2021, to further encourage Canadians to understand the enduring legacy of Canada’s residential school system and consider the important work of Indigenous Reconciliation. To mark this third national commemoration, we once again encourage residents to join Kitchener Council in dedicating time to learning, reflection and action.

Understanding the impact of residential schools and colonialism in Canada is a necessary first step in acknowledging the harm imposed on First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

On Orange Shirt Day, we all have an opportunity and responsibility to learn more about this terrible part of our nation’s history and commit ourselves to meaningful action. A few ways that non-Indigenous folks can do this include learning about Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the land; reading Indigenous literature; supporting Indigenous artists; having meaningful conversations with family, friends and colleagues; and committing to personal change and allyship.

The City is acknowledging National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by lighting Carl Zehr Square in orange, flying the Survivors’ Flag at City Hall, and providing City staff with resources to help facilitate learning, reflection and action. This City is also permanently installing the Every Child Matters flag at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium’s Dom Cardillo Arena, home of the Kitchener Rangers and KW Titans.

In October, we continue our support for Indigenous communities through our Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity (RISE) Fund grant program. Since the program began in 2022, the Maada’oonidiwag – Mentorship Program and Crow Shield Lodge have received grants they have used to serve local Indigenous residents. Another round of applications for grants opens on Oct. 10. Visit www.kitchener.ca/RISE for details.

The process of Indigenous reconciliation at the City of Kitchener includes developing relationships and engaging with Indigenous communities, providing Indigenous competency training for Council and staff, and finding opportunities to explore cultural ceremony and celebration.

I encourage all Kitchener residents to take time today and year-round to honour our Indigenous neighbours and acknowledge the important and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples to Kitchener and Canada.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic
On behalf of the City of Kitchener