National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The City of Burnaby is committed to actively working with the Host Nations on whose unceded territory the City of Burnaby is located, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Peoples, as well as the urban Indigenous population who live in Burnaby. We’re dedicated to working together with Indigenous Peoples in a positive way to make real progress on reconciliation. Learn more about Truth and Reconciliation.
With respect, we present the following programs and activities throughout September in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
Schedule of events
Join us for the Every Child Matters and Survivors’ Flag Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, September 8 at noon. Raising these flags is a powerful way to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, the survivors, as well as their families and communities. It is also an opportunity for us to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and continue working towards meaningful reconciliation.
We encourage you to wear an orange shirt throughout September, leading up to and including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. If you don’t have an orange shirt and would like to purchase one, consider purchasing a jersey from local organizations or designers, and where proceeds will be donated to Indigenous causes that will advance reconciliation and keep these conversations going.
Join us for a talk with the authors of Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong, a memoir of Elder Larry Grant of the Musqueam Nation.
Larry Grant, born in 1936 to a Musqueam mother and Chinese immigrant father, lost his Musqueam status due to a clause in the Indian Act. Reconciling is a series of conversations between Larry and writer Scott Steedman as they visit pivotal geographical places together, including the Musqueam reserve, Chinatown, the site of the Mission residential school, the Vancouver docks and the University of British Columbia. Larry tells the story of his life, including his thoughts on reconciliation and the path forward for First Nations and Canada.
Monday, September 14, 6-7:30 pm
Bob Prittie Metrotown Library
Learn more
Join the Fourth Annual City of Burnaby Hope and Health Community Camp in honor of Truth and Reconciliation.
Saturday, September 19, 10 am-1 pm
Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West, 3677 Kensington Avenue
Open to children and youth ages 3 to 18 years
This one-day soccer camp features cultural teachings, training sessions with coaches, mentors and traditional knowledge keepers. Enjoy a fun day of soccer skills, drills and challenges for children and youth of all soccer abilities, as well as arts, crafts, face painting and bouncy castles. It's an opportunity for children and youth to engage in the path to reconciliation. The event is presented in partnership with the Hope and Health Society.
Every participant receives a free custom designed orange jersey and soccer ball. Lunch will be provided for participants at 12:30 pm after a closing ceremony.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. No drop-ins.
Registration:
- for Burnaby residents begins on August 10 at 10 am.
- for non-Burnaby residents begins on August 14 at 10 am.
Thank you to our community partners:
About the jersey and soccer ball design
All participants will receive a custom designed orange soccer jersey and soccer ball. The design Eagle's Embrace represents the spirit of soccer and depicts an eagle embracing the sport.
The artist, Candace Thomas, is a proud member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and part of the Coast Salish community of artists. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Chief Dan George who inspired Candy from a young age to follow her talent through her artwork. Candy has a deep connection to the land and waters that surround her home community. Using this gives her strength and inspiration which she uses in her unique designs. Through her community, she stays connected to her ancestors who guide her on her path forward, staying healthy and happy. She hopes to encourage the younger generation to pick up a paint brush or a coloured pencil and share their artistic talents. She would like to acknowledge her teachers Damien George TWN, the late Dan Thomas TWN and Rick Harry of Squamish Nation.
Hear from Scott Munro, CEO of the First Nations Financial Management Board, as he explores opportunities for meaningful reconciliation and stronger partnerships between First Nations, businesses and communities. Drawing on both historical and current perspectives, Scott will share practical insights on building a more inclusive economic future that benefits all British Columbians.
Presented by the Burnaby Board of Trade in partnership with the City of Burnaby, the event includes a keynote presentation, facilitated discussion and networking opportunity designed to foster learning, dialogue and connection.
Participants are encouraged to wear an orange shirt in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Additional ways we're supporting Truth and Reconciliation
Pick up a free commemorative pin, September 7–25
This beautiful hummingbird pin and colouring sheet symbolizes our dedication to advance reconciliation and acknowledge the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada. To honour children who never returned, and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Together, we can honor the past, celebrate the present and build a future rooted in mutual respect and understanding.
Pick up your free commemorative pin at Burnaby City Hall or any Burnaby recreation centre or library.*
*Limited quantities. Only while supplies last.
In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite you to visit City Hall to view artworks by renowned Indigenous artists in the City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection. These artworks explore the realities and impacts of residential schools on Indigenous peoples, alongside depictions of Indigenous resurgence that has survived despite colonial harm. The display includes artworks by notable artists: Shirley Bear, Robert Davidson, Richard Hunt, Annie George Kietlah, Kimberly Fulton Orozco, Jane Ash Poitras, Tania Willard, and Lyle Wilson.
The display is on view from September 1–October 5 during City Hall business hours.
We’re lighting up City Hall orange on September 30 to raise awareness of the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada and to honour the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
We invite and welcome the ongoing involvement of artists from Host Nations in shaping the nature of public art in Burnaby. Artists bring knowledge and lived experience to their work, and public art created by Indigenous artists reflect a range of practices and perspectives.
Explore Indigeous public art in Burnaby.
The Burnaby Public Library has created a list of children's, teen and adult collections about residential school experiences and their lasting impact on survivors, their families and communities. The list also includes works by Indigenous authors on themes such as decolonization, resilience, renewal, culture and learning.
Explore the Truth and Reconciliation reads.
Join us in creating an orange shirt to incorporate in our City Hall display
Create an orange shirt craft to be incorporated into the display at City Hall this September. If you would like your completed orange shirt crafts to be incorporated into the community display, please drop them off at the Burnaby City Hall Information desk throughout August and September.
About Truth and Reconciliation
This year is the tenth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action. The recommendations made in this report were meant to address the harmful impacts of residential schools in Canada.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created in 2008 to help Canadians learn about the history and ongoing effects of residential schools. Its goal was to support healing and encourage all Canadians—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to work together towards understanding and reconciliation.
In 2015, the TRC published a multi-volume report sharing survivors’ stories and the lasting impact of residential schools. The report also included 94 Calls to Action—steps for governments, organizations, and Canadians to help reconciliation.
The Calls to Action most relevant to local governments include (but are not limited to):
- Establishing funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation.
- Encouraging libraries to commit more resources to public education on residential schools.
- Create/revise information kits for newcomers to reflect the history of Indigenous peoples, including information about the Treaties and the history of residential schools.
- Implement plans to commemorate residential school sites, the history of residential schools and contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada’s history.
Learn more about the actions we're taking to promote Truth and Reconciliation on Burnaby.ca/Indigenous.