On Monday, September 30, 2024, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The administration office, located at 1350 Aster Street in Pemberton will be closed that day.
This day honours survivors of Canada's residential school system, their families and communities, and those who did not make it home. It helps ensure public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools in our country and is an important step toward reconciliation.
Show your support by attending an event within the SLRD and wearing an orange shirt to honour survivors and remember the children lost to residential schools. September 30 is a time to listen, reflect, and face difficult truths. Together, through awareness, we can take steps towards healing and justice.
If you are a survivor or family member there’s a 24-hour phone line set up by The Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066 or 1-866-925-4419. You can also view other services available for support on their website at irsss.ca.
LILLOOET
'Wenacw Squalutkalh' or 'We Speak the Truth'
When: TBA
Where: Lillooet Rec Centre
Lillooet Tribal Council and St'at'imc Health Outreach Services are collaborating with Lillooet Learning Communities Society, the Community HUB Team and St'at'imc community partners to organize a gathering focused on truth-telling on National Truth and Reconciliation Day: September 30. The gathering is called 'Wenacw Squalutkalh' or 'We Speak the Truth,’ which is the first step before reconciliation is possible. More details will be announced soon, but the day involves a ceremony, a community march, lunch, a facilitated session with Norm Leech and open time to hear community members speak their truths and share stories. All community members and leaders are invited to attend and participate.
View the event poster for Lillooet’s 'Wenacw Squalutkalh' or 'We Speak the Truth' event.
PEMBERTON
Lunch and Listen with Dr. Lorna Wanósts’a7 Williams
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Pemberton Community Barn
Dr. Lorna Wanósts’a7 Williams, honoured with the Order of Canada for her over 50 years of contributions to Indigenous rights, cultural preservations, and understanding – is a leading advocate for promoting, restoring and preserving Ucwalmicwts and other Indigenous languages and cultures in Lil’wat, Canada and globally. Wanósts’a7 will share insights into the early history of the Lil’wat Nation and Pemberton Valley, guiding us on a path toward reconciliation. Soup and bannock will be served to the first 200 guests.
View the event poster for Pemberton’s Lunch and Listen event.
SQUAMISH
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration
When: 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Starting at Winnipeg Street & Cleveland Avenue
The Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw invite everyone to gather as a community to honour, remember and pay respect to the survivors of Residential School and those who never made it home. They will celebrate resilience as Indigenous Peoples and the resurgence and reclamation of Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw ancestral teachings.
Visit the District of Squamish’s website for more information.
WHISTLER
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) will welcome guests with free admission, supported by CIBC, on Monday, September 30, to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Support from the Government of Canada and the Resort Municipality of Whistler make a full day of immersive programming possible.
Monday will be a day of listening, learning, and reflection filled with programming throughout the Great Hall, Theatre, Galleries, and out on the Mezzanine patio. Visitors can hear the Guest Speaker Series, experience Spo7ez cultural sharing, carving and weaving demonstrations, immersive crafts and First Nations-inspired cuisine, and explore books for learning, authentic art, and keepsakes.
Visit the SLCC’s website for more information.
Interested in learning more about National Truth and Reconciliation Day or wondering about other ways to commemorate this day?
Here are some resources and additional information to learn and quietly reflect:
- The origins of Orange Shirt Day: Orange Shirt Day began as a movement in 2013, when Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of the St. Joseph Mission residential school, told her story of her first day of residential school in 1973, where she had her new orange shirt, bought for her by her grandmother, taken away from her and never returned. Read more about the story of Orange Shirt Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action