As Canada prepares to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 2024, communities across the country are hosting events and activities to honour this important day. We’ve compiled an overview of events happening around Northern Ontario including Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay, as well as a comprehensive list of resources to help deepen your understanding of the history and significance of this day.
If we are missing an event happening in your Northern Ontario community email us at info@northernontario.travel to let us know.
Date: September 26, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Venue: Grace Hartman Amphitheatre, Bell Park
Join Sudbury for a day filled with storytelling, local crafts, and more. The highlight of the event will be a multimedia presentation titled “Buffalo Risin” by the Zaagi’idiwin Collective. This presentation celebrates the resilience and journey of Indigenous youth reclaiming their power and honouring their heritage. For more details, visit Indigenous Sudbury.
Date: September 29, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Leger Square, City Hall
Date: September 29, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
Residents are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to show support and awareness. For more information, check the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre website. On September 30th, the day will begin at 10 am with an opening ceremony at the Kiwanis Bandshell on the waterfront, followed by a march to Amelia Park. Afterward, a shuttle bus will be available to transport participants to the Indigenous Hub at 1040 Brookes Street, where activities, food, and refreshments will continue. A sacred fire will be lit at the Hub at 9 am, and all are welcome to come and offer their prayers or make an offering throughout the day.
Date: Throughout September
Date: Late September
Date: September 30, 2024
Timmins will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with its annual Orange Bus campaign, now featuring the Mattagami First Nation logo. The McIntyre Headframe and other city signs will be illuminated in orange to honour the day. On September 30, the city will also host an event in collaboration with the Timmins Native Friendship Centre. Mayor Michelle Boileau emphasized the importance of this day in honouring residential school survivors and their communities. Residents are encouraged to wear an orange shirt and reflect on the significance of reconciliation. For more details, visit the City of Timmins Indigenous Relations and Inclusion page.
Date: September 25-30, 2024
Sault Ste. Marie will be hosting a series of events during Truth and Reconciliation Week from September 25-29, 2024, led by Sault College. These events will include educational sessions, an information table on Indigenous learning, and a flag-raising ceremony, with topics such as the significance of Orange Shirt Day, Indigenous heroes, and the 94 Calls to Action. On September 30, Algoma University will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with reflective activities at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, focusing on Indigenous history and culture. Participants are encouraged to wear orange on September 30 to honour residential school survivors and those who did not return home.
Date: September 30, 2024
Location: Various locations around Thunder Bay
For Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, 2024, Thunder Bay has several events planned to commemorate the day and honour the legacy of Indigenous children affected by residential schools. Follow along on the Thunder Bay Indigenous Relations Facebook page.
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Boulevard Lake
Join this community run/walk to honour the Indigenous children affected by residential schools. Proceeds support the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation. Registration is required. For more info & registration click here.
Everyone is welcome to attend these events to support truth, reconciliation, and healing.
To further your understanding and support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, consider exploring the following resources:
Indigenous & Residential Schools: Documentary films from the National Film Board of Canada'
Indian Horse (Stephen Campanelli)
Smoke Signals (Chris Eyre)
Rhymes for Young Ghouls (Jeff Barnaby)
Reel Injun (Neil Diamond)
The Grizzlies (Miranda de Pencier)
This collection of events and resources aims to support meaningful reflection and education as we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
