Coquitlam marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with local events and resources

The City of Coquitlam will host and support local events and resources to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30. The national day recognizes the lasting impacts of residential schools on Indigenous Peoples, honours Survivors and acknowledges harms experienced in the residential school system. Some civic facilities and services will be closed or operate on reduced hours on Wednesday, Sept. 30; details are available at coquitlam.ca/hours.

The Survivors’ Flag will fly at Coquitlam City Hall from Sept. 28 to 30. Lighting features along Pinetree Way and at Lafarge Lake will be illuminated in orange from Sept. 27 to 30. Residents can visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website to learn about the flag and hear Survivors’ perspectives.

Scheduled activities include a free Truth and Reconciliation Tea and Bannock event at Dogwood Pavilion on Sept. 24, presented with the Dogwood Pavilion Seniors' Society and featuring guided discussions. On Sept. 26, Indigenous artist Jordanna George will lead a hands-on, lunar-themed painting workshop at Evergreen Arts. On Sept. 30, the City and Coquitlam Public Library will offer children’s activities and adult workshops at Glen Pine Pavilion, while Place des Arts will host Indigenous artists, art-making and Indigenous resources and activities from the library. Information and registration are available at coquitlam.ca/registration, evergreenarts.ca, coquitlam.ca/calendar and placedesarts.ca.

Sept. 30 began as the Indigenous-led grassroots Orange Shirt Day initiative in Williams Lake, B.C., before receiving national recognition in 2021. It traces its origins to Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, was taken when she entered residential school at age six. Reconciliation is a focus of Coquitlam’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, and the City says it will continue building government-to-government relationships with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, other First Nations and Indigenous Peoples through dialogue, learning and collaboration. More local events and learning opportunities are listed at coquitlam.ca/NDTR.