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Wear orange on Sept. 30 to honour and support Residential School Survivors, their families, communities and those who never returned home.
All are invited to join the Community Gathering and Solidarity Walk on Sept. 30 to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Date: Monday, Sept. 30, 2024
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: kiyām Community Park, downtown Fort McMurray
Details: The gathering will begin with an opening prayer, raising of the Survivors' flag, and a brief address. This will be followed by a walk along the designated loop downtown, before returning to kiyām Park.
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be available at kiyām Park after the walk.
The gathering and walk are held in partnership with the Athabasca Tribal Council.
“It’s important for all of us to be grounded and guided by the very real impact this has had – and continues to have – on Indigenous Peoples and communities, including right here in this region,” said Mayor Sandy Bowman.
“By joining the Community Gathering and Solidarity Walk, we can acknowledge the truth of our history, while supporting Survivors and their families by letting them know that they matter and that Every Child Matters.”
"National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity for Canadians to further their understanding about the atrocities committed against Indigenous people," said Chief Allan Adam, President of the Athabasca Tribal Council and Chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
"I hope that everyone will take the time to honour those who have passed, the survivors, and the families who carry the burdens of colonial trauma.”
Honour them by learning the truth. Reconciliation is a lifelong journey and lasts longer than this one day."
About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important day to learn and understand the legacy of residential schools, the wrongs carried out by the church and governments and the harm that continues to impact Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Community members are encouraged to use the day to reflect and think about how we can all move together as a region towards reconciliation.
Wearing orange: supporting survivors and raising awareness
Orange Shirt Day is held in accordance with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, serving as a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness of the profoundly harmful impacts that residential schools have caused. It’s a day to deepen our understanding of history and work towards healing, while fostering mutual understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Canada.
The orange shirt is a symbol that originates from the personal experience of Phyllis Webstad and signifies the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Wearing an orange shirt is a symbol of solidarity, remembrance, and a commitment to learning about our true shared history.
RMWB’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
For more information and resources dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation including videos, learning modules and the Municipality’s response to the Commission’s Calls to Action, visit rmwb.ca/trc
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