Kingston City Council: National Truth and Reconciliation Day a civic holiday

Tori Stafford
Screenshot of the interactive map at Native-Land.ca

A decision by Kingston’s City Council will see National Truth and Reconciliation Day – observed annually on September 30 – a civic holiday, beginning this year.

According to the City of Kingston, this move has been made to “encourage municipal employees and the community to observe the occasion as intended.”

“September 30th is a day to acknowledge and make room for the deep work we must undertake as a community with respect to the painful history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and their traumatic effect on generations of Indigenous peoples,” Mayor Bryan Paterson said in a statement. “There are local gatherings, online events, and lots of resources available so that everyone is able to reflect on the significance of this day for our community and our nation.”

The City offers the following list as suggested ways to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day locally and online, as well as some learning resources and reports available:

Kingston

  • Sacred Fire and Vigil at Confederation Park from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
  • Sacred Fire through the Kewaywin Circle and One Roof in partnership with Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, to be held at Family and Children’s Services offices at 817 Division St. from sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 30 to sunset on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.

Online events and broadcasts

  • Online events are planned over Truth and Reconciliation Week, Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 and hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). There is a schedule for both educators and the general public. Note: Registration for these events closes on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.
  • The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a new broadcast special, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in partnership with APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, Insight Productions and Canadian Heritage. This unique one-hour, commercial-free primetime special honours the stories and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples affected by the tragedies of the residential school system in Canada, with musical tributes and ceremonies in Indigenous communities across the land. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will broadcast and stream live Thursday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. on APTN, CBC, CBC Gem.

Learning Resources and Reports

Additionally, with National Truth and Reconciliation Day becoming a civic holiday here in Kingston, the following municipal offices and services may be closed or have altered schedules:

  • Garbage, Green Bin and Recycling: Collection will take place as usual, and the Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste depots will be open as usual. Please note that the administrative office at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre will be closed on Sept. 30.
  • Kingston Transit: Buses will run as normal on Sept. 30.
  • Administrative offices: All administrative offices, including housing and social services and provincial offences are closed Sept. 30.
  • Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Open Sept. 30.
  • INVISTA Centre/ Fitness & Wellness Centre, Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre, arenas: Open Sept. 30.
  • CaraCo Home Field: Open Sept. 30.
  • Swimming lessons and drop-in programming: City of Kingston programs at the West-end Boys & Girls Club will continue as usual on Sept. 30.
  • Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour marinas: The Confederation Basin Marina office is open Sept. 30. The fueling stations are open at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
  • Grand Theatre Box Office: Closed Sept. 30.
  • Libraries: Kingston Frontenac Public Library branches are open Sept. 30.
  • PumpHouse Museum: Closed Sept. 30.
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