City will raise the Every Child Matters flag on September 25

Richmond Hill – September 30 is the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the Survivors of residential schools and the children who never came home, as well as their families and communities. 

In recognition of this tragic and painful history and its ongoing impacts, Richmond Hill will raise the Every Child Matters flag at the City’s main Municipal Offices at 225 East Beaver Creek Road on Wednesday, September 25 at 8:15 a.m. The City is honoured to welcome Councillor Erma Ferrell of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and Jay Shea of the Odeiwin Foundation to the event, which the public is welcome to attend.

On September 30, the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts will present a free performance by Mimi O'Bonsawin, with opening act, The North Sound, at 8 p.m. A contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land through her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots. Tickets are limited – please book in advance.

Richmond Hill is also proud to host the Outcome of the War of 1812: First Nations Betrayed exhibit, which runs until September 30 at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North. The Centre is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 30 in honour of the Day. The exhibit explores the long-term consequences of the war through the experience of the MCFN.

The City will be sponsoring a sacred fire to honour and renew the commitment to truth and reconciliation on September 30 at Oak Ridges Community Centre from 4 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Odeiwin Foundation. 

Richmond Hill continues to work to build meaningful relationships with Treaty Partners such as the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Recently, the City passed a motion to create roadside and park signage to recognize the Humber, Rouge, and Don River system waterways using traditional First Nations language. This motion received unanimous support from Council, helping the community to remember and reflect on this painful history.

All Richmond Hill’s Municipal Offices, library branches and Access Richmond Hill contact centre will be closed on Monday, September 30 to observe the Day. Community Centres and Pools will open for regular hours.

Quotes

“Truth and Reconciliation Day has such deep meaning for all Indigenous people. Truth comes before reconciliation and we have to remember to keep this in perspective as we move along in our healing and reconciliation journey with all Canadians. Reconciliation comes in many forms and will continue to, until we fully embrace the true impact of our history and how that history impacted who we are today. On September 30th, we should all be asking ourselves, what does it really mean to each one of us on a personal level and what am I prepared to do about it. We all have a story to tell and a part to play.”
- Ogiima Kwe, Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

 “I truly believe reconciliation is the responsibility of every Canadian—by demonstrating the City’s commitment to remembrance, education and reflection, we are helping to dismantle the legacy of residential schools, demonstrating recognition and respect for Indigenous Peoples, and supporting education on the history of the lands on which we live and work. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation exhibit at the Heritage Centre, the performance at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and the Odeiwin fire circle being hosted in Oak Ridges are ways to learn together. Without truth, there can be no reconciliation.”

- Mayor David West, City of Richmond Hill