Here's how you can mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Ottawa

OTTAWA -

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at events happening in Ottawa to mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada on Thursday.

Sept. 30 honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. 

The Heritage Building and Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall and the OTTAWA sign in the ByWard Market will be illuminated in orange at sunset on Thursday.

REMEMBER ME

The Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada is hosting, "Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance."

It's a national gathering on Parliament Hill and in Confederation Park to remember Indigenous children and families affected by the residential schools and all Indigenous child apprehension programs.

"I can't wait to be on the podium on Parliament Hill and just see this loving sea of orange," said Jenny Sawanohk, executive director of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada. "It's going to be really powerful."

Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance begins with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. on Parliament Hill, followed by a Spirit Walk at 12 p.m. to Confederation Park. At Confederation Park, there will be music, presentations, art installations and dance.

"It's going to be a beautiful day to finally say, "Hey, we have work to do and we need to come together in unity to do it.' So let's do this together and do it in a beautiful and peaceful way," said Sawanohk.

For more information, visit remember-me-september-30.org.

BEECHWOOD CEMETERY

The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation has partnered with the Project of Heart, the Assembly of 7 Generations, and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society to host a public day of reconciliation education and action.  The day includes a two-hour tour, offered from sunrise to sunset.

During the tour, visitors can participate in a 45-minute Reconciling History tour to view plaques marking the final resting places of key figures in the residential schools while learning about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.

At the final stop of the Reconciliation Tour, join Beechwood's Echo the Fox and the Caring Society's Spirit Bear for a reading of Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past.

The event will also include the first ever full public display of 57,000 tiles made by children and youth across Canada to honour the children who attended residential schools.

For more information, visit beechwoodottawa.ca.

ALGONQUIN COLLEGE

Algonquin College is hosting several in-person and online events for the college community on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Those on campus in Ottawa are invited to stop by the Memorial Fire at Ishkodewan, the college's Indigenous courtyard located in the DARE District outside C Building.

The Legacy of Hope exhibit is open to all on campus, located in front of Nawapon, the Indigenous Learning Commons in C Building.

"Reconciliation is not the responsibility of Indigenous people. It is the responsibility of everybody who lives here," said Deganadus, Algonquin College's vice-president of Truth and Reconciliation.

"There has been a shift in our social consciousness whereby the average Canadian is more open, more willing, and more interested to explore true history."

CARLETON UNIVERSITY

Carleton University is marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Planting a Seed Towards Reconciliation.

This online program starts at 1 p.m.

Carleton University alumnus Tim O'Loan will share his personal stories, experiences and challenges stemming from his four years with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

The University of Ottawa is hosting several events to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Orange T-Shirt Garden at uOttawa's Tabaret Hall. You can plant an orange t-shirt to display your own personal message of hope and support for residential school survivors.

At 11 a.m., the university hosts a ceremony for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY

The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. will be offering free admission on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The museum invites visitors to learn about the resilience and diversity of Indigenous cultures and histories through its display called "Rekindled – Tradition, Modernity and Transformation in Indigenous cultures." The exhibit was created by the interns in the 2019 Indigenous Internship Program, presenting their own perspectives about Indigenous peoples' relationships with modernity and traditions.

The CINÉ+ at the Canadian Museum of History will offer a special screening of Innu Nikamu: Resist and Sing at 10:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

"I think people hear a lot of what's happening in the news and nobody really understands profoundly what’s going on," says Chantal Amyot, Canadian Museum of History's Acting Director General. "And this is a chance to delve in this and learn more, and understand those perspectives."

MUSEUMS

• The Canadian Museum of Nature is offering free admission on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors)
• The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is offering free admission on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors)
• The Canada Science and Technology Museum is offering free admission on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors)
• The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is offering free service on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors) 
• The Canadian War Museum is offering free admission on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors)
• The Canadian Museum of History is offering free admission on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors) 
• The National Gallery of Canada is offering free admission on Thursday. (Advance tickets required for all visitors)
• The Diefenbunker is open Thursday. (Advance tickets are required for all visitors)

BROCKVILLE

The town of Brockville invites the public to Hardy Park on Thursday.

Brockville Tourism says the Indigenous Planning Committee has put together a walk-through learning experience, featuring an Algonquin Drum Circle, medicine teachings, and the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit Brockville Tourism's website.

 

If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.