Georgina hosts Truth and Reconciliation event Sept. 30

Town working to erect twin memorial plaques honouring the lost children and survivors of residential schools

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 29, 2021
Amanda Persico

In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Georgina is hosting a special flag raising ceremony Sept. 30 at the Civic Centre. Flags will also be raised at the Ravenshoe Road and Woodbine Avenue intersection.

Town council and staff will be joined by members of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.

National Truth and Reconciliation Day, introduced as a federal statutory holiday in June 2021, honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.

Town of Georgina customer service will not be available Oct. 1 as the town observes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Residents can call the town's after hours line, 905-476-4301, to report emergencies about animal control, roads, water or wastewater. Town bylaw officers can be reached 905-476-4301 ext. 2281.

Sept. 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led commemorative day started in 2013 to highlight the pain and suffering of thousands of Indigenous children sent to residential schools.

Earlier this year, news of unmarked graves of more than 1,000 Indigenous children found at former residential schools shocked communities across the country.

In response and in solidarity with its Georgina Island Frist Nation neighbours, Georgina council approved creating and erecting two plaques on opposite ends of the Lake Simcoe shore as a permanent reminder of those tragic events.

Proposed by Ward 1 Coun. Mike Waddington, the permanent plaques -- one on the island and one on mainland -- would read in both English and Ojibway. The project is in the very early stages of development.

“If not now, then when?” he asked when the motion was first passed in early summer. “This is only one step in moving forward so history does not repeat itself.”

To learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, visit www.georgina.ca/TruthandReconciliation.