The Town of Newmarket, in collaboration with our Indigenous partners are inviting the community to come together to remember and reflect, as we recognize the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

"September 30 will be a tremendously meaningful and significant day in Newmarket and throughout our country," says Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. "On this day, and everyday, we need to remember and reflect on our past - the very painful and tragic history of the residential school system and the unimaginable impact this has had on Indigenous communities. We need to continue to come together to do more, do better and to create a path forward with Truth and Reconciliation leading the way."

What: The Town of Newmarket is hosting an event for the community to come together in reflection as we honour the First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day that honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Health and safety protocols will be in place.

The theme of the event is Remembering the Past, Honouring the Survivors, Walking the Future Together. The event will include storytelling and song delivered by our partners in the Indigenous community. Following the event, attendees are encouraged to walk along the Nokiidaa Trail (Nokiidaa is an Ojibwa term meaning 'walking together'), to the bridge by the Municipal Offices (395 Mulock Drive) to view a commemorative Indigenous art installation on the bridge. Everyone is encouraged to walk in reflection with a commitment to reconciliation.

When: Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Fairy Lake Park (Ampitheatre), 520 Water Street (L3Y 1M5) Parking is available on site at Fairy Lake or you can choose to park anywhere along the Nokiida Trail, or at the Town Office at 395 Mulock Drive. 

September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Please remember to wear orange on September 30 to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, to honour the thousands of children whose lives were lost, and those who survived but continue to experience the trauma to this day.

The Town of Newmarket remains strongly committed to our journey of Truth and Reconciliation. Last year, Newmarket installed a permanent land acknowledgement plaque at the Municipal Offices to demonstrate appreciation to all Indigenous people for sharing the Newmarket lands with the community. The land acknowledgement plaque serves as a permanent reminder that Newmarket sits on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Haudeno-saunee and the Anishinaabe peoples and treaty land of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous people.

Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Town hosted an internal orange hat fundraiser that raised over $2000. All proceeds will be donated to Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag, Child and Family Services, an organization that was selected in collaboration with the Chippewas of Georgina Island, our closest Indigenous neighbours and friends. Those interested in supporting this organization can visit www.binnoojiiyag.ca.