The Town of Collingwood will recognize Tuesday, September 30, as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day invites us to reflect on the painful history and lasting impacts of Canada’s residential school system, to remember the children who never returned home, and to honour survivors, their families, and their communities.
Reconciliation begins with acknowledging and naming the truths of Canada’s past and present. It is a shared responsibility to build respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples who have called this land home for generations. Reconciliation grows through creating spaces of healing and offering opportunities to learn, listen, and honour Indigenous knowledge and traditions.
To support personal journeys of reconciliation, the Town of Collingwood has several initiatives to encourage reflection, learning, and action.
Flag Raising Event:
Date: Monday, September 29th
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Community Flag Pole, Collingwood Public Library, 55 Ste. Marie Street
Join us as we raise the Every Child Matters Flag a reminder of our shared history and the importance of reconciliation
Poetry Installation:
Location: Harbourview Park
Explore the poetry installation by local poet Jillian Morris, featuring the poem "Spare a Moment." This installation can be found along the trail behind the Labyrinth along the Georgian Trail. A dedicated Truth & Reconciliation sign is positioned at the entrance to the snowshoe trail. We encourage visitors to Harbourview Park to take a moment to reflect and engage with the poem as they walk the trail.
Wear Orange on September 30th:
In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite all community members to wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th. Every Child Matters buttons and orange ribbons will also be available at Town Hall, while supplies last, starting Monday, September 22nd during regular business hours.
Orange Feathers in the Community:
To further commemorate National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, orange feathers will be mounted to the light standards downtown. Each feather features a QR code that links to resources available on the Town website, Awen’ & Reconciliation
Noojimo Mitigwaaki - Healing Forest:
Location: 1 Water St., by the Labyrinth
Noojimo Mitigwaaki invites you to follow a pathway of seven signs, each sign sharing an Indigenous image, teaching, and life reflection. This initiative was led by a local advisory group to share Indigenous teachings reminding us that all of life carries purpose and responsibility. As you walk the trail, listen deeply, explore with openness, and walk with kindness on the path toward Truth and Reconciliation.
As we continue the journey toward Truth and Reconciliation, let this be a call not just to remember, but to act—with humility, accountability, and a shared commitment to healing.