An orange “Survivors flag” will be raised at Richmond city hall this weekend and the “Together” statue in front of the Minoru Centre for Active Living will be lit up in orange.
Both events are planned to commemorate Canada’s Indigenous people and their history.
Saturday, Sept. 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
In anticipation, the city is holding events throughout the week, including a conversation with Chief Robert Joseph and an art show featuring Indigenous art.
“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to honour the survivors of the residential school system, the children who did not make it home, as well as their families and communities,” the city said in a news release. “It is a time to commemorate and reflect on the historical and ongoing impacts of residential schools.”
The following are some activities taking place this week:
Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 7 to 8 p.m.
A Pathway to Reconciliation: A Conversation with Chief Robert Joseph
Join this special evening with Chief Robert Joseph, OC, OBC, as he discusses his new book, Namwayut – We Are All One: A Pathway to Reconciliation. Suitable for adults.
The event is free but registration is required. It takes place at the Cultural Centre Performance Hall (7700 Minoru Gate).
Thursday, Sept. 28 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Come to an author talk and reading with Joseph Kakwinokanasum. Joseph was nominated for the 2022 Canada Trust Rising Star, and was a featured author at the Windsor Writers Festival.
This program is recommended for adults. It is free but registration is required. Location: Brighouse Library – 2nd Floor Program Room (2nd floor)
Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. & 1 to 1:30 p.m.
The library will be featuring picture books written by Indigenous authors and two storytimes during the day. Details about Family Storytime can be found on the Richmond Public Library website.
This event is free and no registration is required.
Location: Brighouse Library – Kid’s Program Room (Main floor)
Ongoing until Sept. 30
Hope and Healing Canada art exhibit by Tracey-Mae Chambers
Visit the Richmond Cultural Centre’s rotunda for Tracey-Mae Chambers’ site-responsive artist project, Hope and Healing Canada. The goal of Chambers’ art installation is to broach the subject of decolonization with viewers and help bridge the gap between settlers and Indigenous, Métis and Inuit people. Learn more at traceymae.com. Richmond Cultural Centre (7700 Minoru Gate)
For more information on these programs, go to Richmond.ca/NDTR
Limited hours at city facilities
Some city facilities will have reduced hours or be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
City Hall will be closed on Monday, Oct. 2 in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Recycling Depot will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 30 and will be open on Monday, Oct. 2. Blue cart collection will remain regularly scheduled. All other residential services will be pushed by one day due to the observed statutory holiday on Monday, Oct. 2.
The Brighouse Library and Richmond Cultural Centre will have reduced hours on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All other library branches will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 30. For details, go to yourlibrary.ca.
