The District of Oak Bay stands with Indigenous communities in recognizing the unthinkable tragedies suffered in residential schools. As you are aware, this September 30, 2021 will be recognized as the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada. As such, the District encourages the community to observe this new statutory holiday by engaging in a day of quiet reflection or spreading awareness of the country’s former residential school system in a way that is personally meaningful.

As September 30 is recognized as Orange Shirt Day, the District is promoting Orange Shirt Week between September 27 – October 1, 2021. If you don’t own an orange shirt and would like to participate, please be mindful when purchasing your shirt and consider supporting an Indigenous owned business or designer. For more information on Orange Shirt Day, please visit the website.

Education Resources:

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Reports
• Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Events:

• ReconciliACTION Oak Bay is hosting an in-person event on September 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sno'uyutth Welcome Pole (in front of Oak Bay High School).
• Orange Shirt Day Victoria is hosting an in-person event on September 30, 2021 at Centennial Square from 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• The University of Victoria is hosting in-person events the week of September 27, 2021  in honour of Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2021. Some of the events will be livestreamed so you can view them remotely. For more information on the events, visit the UVic website.

Municipal Hall and the Public Works Yard will be closed September 30, 2021 at will reopen October 1, 2021.