National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Friday, September 30, 2022. This day was created to acknowledge the intergenerational impact of residential schools, while recognizing the ongoing work of reconciliation.  

To mark this important day, Trent University is hosting a number of in-person events, paired with online resources designed to support learning and reflection, while encouraging members of the Trent community to take action on reconciliation. In-person events include a sunrise ceremony at 6:00 a.m., a campus reflection and moment of silence at 2:15 p.m., and a film screening and talk with residential school survivor Elder Shirley Williams at 7:00 p.m.  

“National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created to acknowledge the intergenerational impact of residential schools, while recognizing the ongoing work of reconciliation,” said Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, director, First Peoples House of Learning. “Through ceremony and conversation, we can learn more about our shared history, and work together for a more equitable future.” 

In advance of National Day of Truth & Reconciliation, orange shirts designed by Ojibwe artist Miskomin Manidoomin (Sabrina Fontaine) are being sold for $30 and are available for purchase from the Trent Central Student Association and the Trent Durham Student Association offices.  

“At Trent University, we are supporting the learning and understanding of the campus community, and of Peterborough and Durham, through an online catalogue of resources like reading lists, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports, and links to documentaries that share first-hand experience of residential and day school survivors,” said Professor David Newhouse, director, Chaine Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University. “Everyone has an active role to play in reconciliation.” 

Self-directed and online resources, including a reading list, teaching aids for faculty and teaching staff, and a self-guided Anishinaabeg art tour in Enwayaang, have been posted online. Additionally, links to commissions, reports and online learning tools have been complied to support Trent and the wider communities.   

A full list of resources and the schedule of events can be found at trentu.ca/truthandreconciliationday. 

Events hosted on Friday, September 30, are as follows: 

Peterborough

• Sunrise Ceremony 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m., Mnidoowag A‘Kiing Traditional Area, Enwayaang 

• Heart Garden Reflection 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Kerr House, Traill College refreshments provided  

• START Booth 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Bata Library Podium 

• Three Sisters Lunch 12:00 p.m. while supplies last, Gzowski College Courtyard 

• Community Sacred Fire 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Champlain College Fire Pit 

• Campus Reflection and Moment of Silence 2:00 p.m. Champlain College Fire Pit; Atrium Durham Building B 

• Truth Before Reconciliation: Indian Residential and Day School Histories, a talk by Dr. Jackson Pind, 3:00 p.m., First Peoples Gathering Space, Enwayaang and streamed on Zoom (password 682215)

• Round Dance 4:30 p.m., Bata Library Podium 

• Reading and Film Screening with Elder Shirley Williams 7:00 p.m., Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space, Enwayaang

Durham

• Interactive art activity, all day, Durham Building B Atrium 

• Campus Reflection and Moment of Silence 2:00 p.m. Durham building B Atrium 

• Truth Before Reconciliation: Indian Residential and Day School Histories, a talk by Dr. Jackson Pind, 3:00 p.m., via Zoom 

• Reading and Film Screening with Elder Shirley Williams 7:00 p.m., streamed to Durham building B room 112 

Counselling services are available at both campus locations to support the Trent community on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A sacred fire for Indigenous members of the Trent community will be available at the tipi in Mnidoowag A‘Kiing Traditional Area in Peterborough, and at the campus fire pit at the Durham campus. Drop-in counselling services will be available from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Durham campus during the reflection ceremony. Counselling support will available in Peterborough during the evening programming in the Nozhem First Peoples Performance Space.

For more information and resources, please visit: trentu.ca/truthandreconciliationday.