Richmond to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The City of Richmond will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The day honours Residential School Survivors, children who never returned home, and their families and communities. The City says it is an opportunity to learn about the history and lasting impacts of residential schools, reflect on the experiences and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and consider how everyone can contribute to ongoing truth and reconciliation work.

Sept. 30 also marks Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots initiative founded by Residential School Survivor Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken away on her first day at school. The shirt has become a symbol of remembrance, awareness of the residential school system’s impacts, and the affirmation that every child matters. Residents are invited to wear orange and take part in programs and displays across Richmond. A full list is available at richmond.ca/NDTR.

Highlights include an Indigenous Author Series conversation with elder Larry Grant and Scott Steedman, authors of Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Richmond Cultural Centre’s Theatre Under the Stars. Grant, an Elder of Musqueam and Chinese descent, will discuss a life story that reflects Chinese immigration, the harms of residential schools and the current Indigenous revival.

A beading workshop honouring Residential School Survivors will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 26 in Meeting Room 2 at City Centre Community Centre, where participants can create a beaded orange T-shirt. Indigenous Storytime will follow from 1 to 3 p.m. at Richmond Nature Park. On Sept. 30, Family Storytime at Richmond Public Library’s Brighouse Kids’ Place Program Room will run from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 1:30 p.m., featuring picture books by Indigenous authors and illustrators.

City Hall and the Recycling Depot will be closed Sept. 30 and reopen Oct. 1. Blue cart collection will continue as scheduled, while all other residential services will be delayed by one day because of the statutory holiday. Brighouse Library and the Richmond Cultural Centre will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; all other library branches will be closed. Details are available at YourLibrary.ca, and modified community-facility hours are listed at richmond.ca/HolidayHours.