OTTAWA— September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Originally called Orange Shirt Day in honour of the victims and survivors of residential schools, the day is an important occasion to learn more about the impacts of forcing an estimated 150,000 Indigenous children from across Canada to attend residential schools. The last residential school closed as recently as 1996 and Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is committed to public education about this period of history and its ongoing effects.
Seven OPL branches will be open for programs and access to resources about the experiences of Indigenous children and youth in residential schools, and the intergenerational trauma that continues to affect Indigenous families and communities.
OPL branches open 10 am to 5 pm on Friday, September 30:
- Beaverbrook, 2500 Campeau Drive
- Cumberland,1599 Tenth Line Road
- Greenboro, 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive
- Main, 120 Metcalfe Street
- Nepean Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive
- Ruth E. Dickinson, 100 Malvern Drive
- St Laurent, 515 Côté Street
- Infoservice, 613-580-2940
As part of its efforts to help advance reconciliation through education and awareness raising, OPL has organized in-person programs for various age groups.
- The Impact of Residential Schools with Bevann Fox, Nepean Centrepointe (9:30 am to 10:30 am), Beaverbrook (1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
Join this online talk about the impact of residential schools and the book Genocidal Love. Bevann Fox will also address the healing process as it continues today and her thoughts regarding truth and reconciliation. (on Zoom) - Residential Schools: A Lasting Impactwith Jay Odjick, St Laurent (10:30 am- 11:30), Ruth E. Dickinson (2 pm – 3 pm)
Jay Odjick will speak about the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and discuss governmental accountability. Odjick will also talk about the important role of Canadians as allies and share thoughts about what people can do to help the survivors and the Indigenous community. He will also talk about his own experiences and perspectives as a Native person, artist, and writer. - Bilingual family storywalk® of When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson (all seven branches)
Whether with family or friends, take the time to read this poignant story of a victim of the residential school system. Visit one of the seven open branches to experience this bilingual family storywalk®. - Youth on Reconciliation: Imagine a Canada exhibition by Legacy of Hope Foundation (Ruth E. Dickinson)
This exhibition, which will be held at Ruth E. Dickinson explores the concept of Reconciliation through artistic expression and what that means to youth in Canada. - Streaming of National Film Board films related to residential schools – all seven branches open that day:
- Sisters and Brothers by Kent Monkman
- Retour à Holy Angels by Jay Cardinal Villeneuve
- Hommage au sénateur Murray Sinclair by Alanis Obomsawin
- Nos histoires – Ça devait être fait by Tessa Desnomie
- 94 Calls to Action
The Library is making available copies of the 94 Calls to Action booklets,published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, at all seven branches open on September 30, for Library customers to read and keep.
OPL has also produced booklists, and teaching resources, which will be available for the public on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Branches will showcase quotes from Indigenous authorson graphic panels and displaybooks featuring Indigenous stories, voices, and experiences.
Danielle McDonald, CEO, Ottawa Public Library, underlined the role the Library can play to support truth and reconciliation.“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a solemn and important moment for reflection about the legacy of the residential schools and the long-lasting effects on Indigenous lives and culture. OPL is committed to honouring, remembering, and recognizing the victims and survivors of residential schools,”she stated. “We look forward to deepening our consultation and collaboration with the Anishinābe Algonquin host nations as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in our community. Recognizing that every child matters will lead us towards healing and reconciliation.”
OPL continues to purchase and promote materials in all formats created by Indigenous authors, with particular attention to the host nation on whose unceded land OPL operates, as well as the diverse urban Indigenous community of First Nations, Inuit,and Métis who live and work here. Notably, in 2021, OPL launched a new collection in three Indigenous languages: Ojibwe, Cree, and Inuktitut.
At all times, the public is encouraged to browse the OPL catalogue or visit the Indigenous web page on the OPL website to explore a wide range of resources regarding the history and impact of the Residential School system. For more information, visit BiblioOttawalibrary.ca.
OPL thanks the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) whose generous contribution has made much of this programming possible.