Truth & Reconciliation
Truth & Reconciliation Sept24
Land Acknowledgement
Pickering Public Library acknowledges the City of Pickering resides on land within the Treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Williams Treaties signatories of the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations.
Pickering is also home to many Indigenous persons and communities who represent other diverse, distinct, and autonomous Indigenous nations. This acknowledgement reminds us of our responsibilities to our relationships with the First Peoples of Canada, and to the ancestral lands on which we learn, share, work, and live.”
This land acknowledgement was created in 2020 by the City of Pickering’s Cultural Advisory Committee in collaboration with Indigenous community members from across southern Ontario.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th marks the annual observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, which honours the lost children, survivors, families and communities affected by the residential school system across Canada.
In recognizing the many abuses inflicted upon over 150,000 children within residential schools, we are called upon to confront the legacy of colonialism, systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma endured by Indigenous communities across Turtle Island today. These are certainly difficult truths to address, but necessary to pursue and sustain meaningful efforts in reconciliation.
Essential Reads About Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
Explore these reads to deepen your understanding of the discussions surrounding reconciliation and the impact of residential schools.
18 Biographies to Read for National Indigenous History Month
The best biographies to read this National Indigenous History Month, spanning resilience, loss, and cultural reclamation.
Indigenous Stories
A list of the newest works by Indigenous creators to check out this National Indigenous History Month.
