National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day. Wear an orange shirt to honour the lost children and survivors of Canada’s residential schools. 

Hamilton Public Library encourages the community to learn the stories, experiences and legacies of the children, families and communities forever impacted by those forced to attend Canada’s Residential Schools.

We have assembled a collection of books, movies and more focused on Indigenous voices, authors, storytellers, musicians, and artists.

Learn Their Stories. Respect Their Legacies.

Read

We have recommended reads and eReads about the residential school experience. Also, check out HPL’s Staff Picks: #Indigenous Reads and Indigenous Reads for Kids and Teens.

Watch

Stream documentaries, educational videos and audio on Summa with your HPL library card.

Listen

Watch encore performances of Noon Hour Concerts by Lacey Hill, Rod Nettagog, an Indigenous Artists and Mohawk College Student Cultural engagement, and an Indigenous Dance and Song with Adrian and Ascension Harjo. Learn more about Indigenous musicians and storytellers through their music and legacies.

Learn

Cherokee is an Iroquoian language, and the only Southern Iroquoian language spoken today. Visit Mango Languages with your HPL Library card to start learning the language and culture.

Learn more about the 94 Calls to Action listed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report.

City of Hamilton Events

The City of Hamilton invites community members to gather in reflection, remembrance, and learning for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). 

Begin the day in a good way with a Sunrise Ceremony at 6 am at West Harbour James Street Plaza (at Guise Street) and teachings to honour Survivors and remember the children who never returned home. Then return for an Afternoon Gathering from 1 to 4 pm for a community event of reflection, awareness, and learning featuring: 

• Indigenous opening and closing
• Remarks by Elder Norma Jacobs
• Keynote by residential school survivor Leo Nicholas
• Drumming and reflection with Ninjiichaag

This gathering is supported by community partners who bring opportunities for learning and connection:

• Hamilton Public Library – Team HPL will be on site for an Orange Shirt Day button “make and take” activity
• Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund – Sharing resources and initiatives that continue the work of reconciliation

For additional resources, visit the City's website.

Land Acknowledgment

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land, so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.