Each year, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are commemorated on September 30. The Town of Whitby encourages residents and its employees to learn and reflect on the history of residential schools in Canada, and their commitment to truth and reconciliation.

This year, the Town is deepening its commitment to reconciliation with the unveiling of a new staff Legacy Space at its Operations Centre, created in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. The space serves as a place where staff can learn, reflect, and better understand the true history of Indigenous Peoples and ongoing impacts of residential schools in Canada. Whitby becomes only the second municipality in the country—and the first in Ontario—to partner with the Fund as a Legacy Space partner. More information about the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and its call to “Do Something” to create positive change and information about its “Day to Listen” campaign can be found on the Fund’s website.

To further mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Town will illuminate Whitby Town Hall in orange, raise the Every Child Matters flag, and lower all municipal flags to half-mast from the evening of September 29 through September 30. The Town will also dedicate its social media platforms on September 30 to the day.

Residents and staff are encouraged to take time to reflect, learn, and engage in the ongoing journey toward reconciliation. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

Tie an Orange Ribbon:

Now through October 3, pick up an orange ribbon at the Whitby Public Library Central Library (405 Dundas St) and tie it to the fence outside the Urban Brew Café to honour children lost to residential schools. On Monday, September 29 from 4 to 5 p.m., drop-in for an all ages program at the Central Library to make orange and black bracelets in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Attend a Workshop on Truth, Reconciliation, and The Indigenous Experience: 

Join Dr. Peter Menzies, a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, at the 55+ Recreation Centre (801 Brock Street South) on September 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. for a free workshop to explore issues confronting Indigenous Peoples in Canada. With over 20 years of experience in social work, Dr. Menzies offers valuable insight into truth and reconciliation. Register at whitby.ca/Active using the code 64092.

Walk the Orange Crosswalk: 

The Town’s commemorative orange crosswalk at King and Dundas Streets honours the children taken by residential schools. Reflect on the impact as you pass by.

Wear an Orange Shirt: 

On September 30, wear an Orange Shirt to honour residential school survivors and support reconciliation. Consider purchasing a shirt from the Orange Shirt Society or support local Indigenous communities through Bawaajigewin - An Aboriginal Community Circle or Nish Tees.

Read Indigenous Stories: 

Visit whitby.ca/Diversity to find resources to expand your knowledge of First Nations, the Inuit, and Métis people and browse Whitby Public Library’s Indigenous Canada list to learn more about the history of Canada and the relationship with its Indigenous people.

Holiday Service Changes

The Town will be closing some of our facilities on September 30 so that we can reflect and honour survivors, their families and communities; and learn about the continued impacts of residential schools on the lives of Indigenous peoples across the country. See below for a list of what will remain open and what will be closed. 

Town Hall and Garden Street Branch in-person and phone services will close at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 29 and re-open at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1.

Recreation Facilities

All Town recreation facilities will be open on Tuesday, September 30.

Libraries

All Whitby Public Library locations will be closed on Tuesday, September 30. Book returns remain open. Digital content is available 24/7 at WhitbyLibrary.ca. 

Waste Collection

Waste Services will continue as scheduled on September 30. To confirm your collection pickup day, check the waste collection calendar or download the Whitby Waste Buddy app. Visit our waste page for details.