Honouring Orange Shirt Day at BPL

Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school. September 30 is also National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a national initiative to reflect on the harmful legacy of residential schools and commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Canada’s residential school system was part of a purposeful attempt by the government to erase all aspects of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture. From 1883 to 1997, over 150,000 children were taken from their families, often by force. Abuse within residential schools was widespread, and thousands of children never returned home.

The final report from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission specifically highlights the important role libraries have in educating and raising awareness about residential schools. We at BPL are committed to providing resources and programming to support learning about the legacy of residential schools—and honouring the healing journey of survivors and their families.

Burlington Public Library is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Truth & Reconciliation Events & Activities

We invite you to join us at these upcoming events and to wear an orange shirt on Monday, September 30, to affirm that Every Child Matters. We recommend supporting the Orange Shirt Day Society if you still need a shirt or wish to make a donation.

Orange Shirt Day Buttons

Monday, September 23 to Monday, September 30 | Central Branch

Visit our MakerSpace on the 3rd floor at Central during its open hours, and we’ll help you make a button to take home and wear on Orange Shirt Day. Limit of one button/person.

Recon-ciliaction with Jim Adams

Saturday, September 28 | 2-3:30pm | Central Branch

There are still seats remaining for this interactive presentation with Jim Adams, an Indigenous storyteller of First Nations and settler heritage. Through stories featuring his Four Rs (Resilience, Resurgence, Relationship, and Recon-ciliaction), Adams conveys the seldom told history of Indigenous people in Canada and explores how connecting to the 4Rs is a vital step in the journey of Recon-ciliaction. Reserve your spot now

Bones of Crows Film Screening

Monday, September 30 | 2-4:15pm | Central Branch

Join us for this special afternoon film presentation to mark National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Bones of Crows is told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears, who after surviving a childhood in Canada's residential school system, uses her uncanny ability to understand and translate codes into working for a special division of the Canadian Air Force as a Cree code talker in World War II. The story unfolds over 100 years with a cumulative force that propels us into the future.

Its authentic representation of Indigenous experiences, combined with its educational and emotional impact, aligns well with the day’s objectives of promoting understanding, respect, and reconciliation.