Truth and Reconciliation 2026

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, we honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, the survivors, their families, and their communities. It is also a chance to reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system and our shared responsibility to help reconciliation move forward.

Kawartha Lakes invites you to recognize this important day at a municipal flag raising ceremony on September 22, and a community remembrance ceremony on September 30.

"Reconciliation starts with listening and with making the effort to understand one another," said Mayor Doug Elmslie. "I hope people across Kawartha Lakes will take part in these events, learn from the voices being shared and reflect on what reconciliation can look like in our own community. The most important thing is that we keep that learning going, not just on September 30, but throughout the year."

Municipal flag raising: September 22

A flag raising ceremony will be held Tuesday, September 22 at 11am at the Kawartha Lakes Police Service (6 Victoria Ave. N., Lindsay).

Brittany Taylor, an Indigenous community educator and musician, will share a drum song in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Taylor will also address Council and offer remarks on the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Council Meeting (City Hall, 28 Francis St., Lindsay, 1pm).

The flag raising is an opportunity for community members, City staff, and Council to remember, reflect and recognize the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

Please wear your orange shirt and join us on Tuesday. To learn more about the significance of wearing orange, visit the Orange Shirt Society's website.

Community remembrance ceremony: September 30

Truth and Reconciliation Community Bobcaygeon and the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge will host a remembrance ceremony Wednesday September 30, starting at 5pm.

Everyone is invited to gather at the Boyd Museum (21 Canal St., Bobcaygeon), then walk to the Beach Park Garden. The ceremony will commemorate and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. The event will feature two members of Curve Lake First Nation: Peggy Day, a singer and musician, and Brittany Taylor.

Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring a chair. Donations collected during the event will support the school at Curve Lake First Nation.

Learning, reflection and reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which called for a statutory holiday to honour Survivors, their families and communities and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day. This is an Indigenous-led commemorative day that recognizes the experiences of children who attended residential schools and affirms that Every Child Matters.

Kawartha Lakes encourages everyone to learn about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, listen to the experiences of survivors, and think about actions they can take to support reconciliation.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the ongoing work of reconciliation:

• Learn about the City’s Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy.
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: 94 Calls to Action. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and learn about the work that remains.
• Participate in free virtual educational programming offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
• Learn more from the Métis Nation of Ontario; Curve Lake First Nation, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
• Access Government of Canada Learning Resources: Explore free training and educational tools for all ages in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
• Government of Ontario: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Learn about Ontario's recognition of the day and opportunities for reflection and learning.

Indigenous Communities Today

The City of Kawartha Lakes respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Mississauga lands and the traditional territory covered by the Williams Treaties.

There are seven contemporary Indigenous signatory communities to the Williams Treaties. They are: 

• Alderville First Nation
• Beausoliel First Nation
• Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation
• Chippewas of Rama First Nation
• Curve Lake First Nation
• Hiawatha First Nation
• Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

We encourage you to visit these communities to learn more about Indigenous people and culture in our region. 

Kawartha Lakes is also home to other First Nations and Métis people who are integral parts of the history of our communities. 

We are all responsible for reconciliation.

Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility. Through learning, remembrance and meaningful action, we can contribute to a community that recognizes the truth of our shared history and works toward a more respectful and inclusive future.