Over the month of September, the City of Burnaby hosted a series of programs in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, to honour the children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools and their families and communities.
Workshops, ceremonies, artistic displays, film screenings and community gatherings reached thousands of Burnaby residents.
Program highlights
- The third annual Hope and Health Community Camp on September 13 welcomed hundreds of children and youth to engage in soccer skills, cultural teachings and reflection.
- On September 16, Burnaby hosted the first-ever Every Child Matters and Survivors’ Flag Recognition Ceremony, creating a public space for remembrance and solidarity.
- The City lowered the flags at City Hall Plaza to half-mast and lit up City Hall in orange to honour reconciliation.
- Programs included a Medicine Wheel Workshop, Truth and Reconciliation for Newcomers, Expanding the Circle: Economic Reconciliation and author talks. These events engaged audiences and deepened their awareness and understanding of the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada, and truth and reconciliation.
Voices from the community about the Hope and Health Community Camp
During the Hope and Health Community Camp, we asked partners and participants to reflect on the event. Here’s what they had to say:
"Reconciliation isn’t a word; it’s the action that you do. In this day and age, there’s a lot of things that aren’t put in history books. And that’s the main point about educating people on residential schools. But when it’s the here and now, I’m hoping that’s what opens people’s eyes and I want them to learn more about Indigenous People."
-Deanna George, Councillor of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
"It’s such a wonderful opportunity to bring families, children and youth together through the beautiful game of soccer… As a Canadian, it’s really important for me to understand the harm that was done, to listen to the residential school survivors, to share their stories and to have compassion and care about that. And then really understand what needs to happen to be different and how to co-create a different future and pathway together."
-Deana Gill-Georgica, Co-founder and CEO of Hope and Health
"It’s important to know the history and to talk to our kids about it as well. Thank you to the City of Burnaby for hosting this. Hopefully it can be expanded in the future."
-Parent attending the camp
Looking ahead
Burnaby remains committed to continuing reconciliation work throughout the year. The success of September’s programming underscores the community’s interest in learning, connection and shared healing.
Learn more about the actions we’re taking to promote truth and reconciliation on Burnaby.ca/Indigenous.
Territory acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the City of Burnaby is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Peoples. Each Nation has distinct histories and distinct traditional territories that fully or partially encompass the city.
We encourage you to learn more about the Host Nations whose ancestors have occupied and used these lands, including parts of present-day Burnaby, for thousands of years.