The Municipality of West Nipissing respectfully acknowledges that we are located on the homelands of the Anishinaabe Peoples, on the traditional territory of the Nipissing, Temagami and Dokis First Nations, covered by the Robinson-Huron Treaty. We honour and recognize their historical connection to the land and value their significant contributions in shaping and strengthening our communities.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, marks the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2021, the federal government established this day in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #80:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.“
The Municipality of West Nipissing recognizes September 30, as a statutory holiday. In observance, all municipal facilities will be closed on this day. A list of facility closures and service changes is available here.
To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Every Child Matters flag will be flown at half-mast at Town Hall, and the lights at the West Nipissing Power Generation dam will be illuminated in orange as a symbol of remembrance and respect.
Orange Shirt Day – September 30
Orange Shirt Day honors residential school survivors and remembers the children who never returned home. The orange shirt symbolizes the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, whose shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. It now represents the experiences of all Indigenous children affected by residential schools.
When purchasing an orange shirt, it’s important to support an Indigenous creator or a shop/vendor that donates the proceeds to an Indigenous cause or organization.
Some places where you can purchase a shirt locally:
- Gen7 Fuel / Convenience Store (1 Jocko Point Rd, Yellek, ON, P1B 8G5)
- Eagles Nest (2 Migizii Miikan, Yellek, ON P1B 8G5)
- Wolves Den Gas Bar (37 Beaucage Park Rd, North Bay)
- Giant Tiger (across Canada) – 100% of sales are donated to Indspire)
- Green Medicine by the Homeopathic Pair (120 Commanda Cres, North Bay, ON P1B 8G5)
- Wrightway Sportswear (1399 Hammond Street, North Bay, ON P1B 2J2) or order online
- I.D.A. Rx Drug Mart (228 King St, Sturgeon Falls)
Reconciliation is an action. There are many ways to reflect and learn about the legacy and impact of Residential Schools. Learning and commemorating the truth of our history from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledge keepers is an important part on the path of reconciliation.
Here are a few recommendations on how you can honour the day on September 30.
WATCH AND LISTEN
- The Good Canadian Documentary (Live premiere on September 30, 2025 at 9 p.m. on APTN, CBC and CBC Gem at 8 p.m.)
- The national broadcast, Remembering the Children (will air live at 3 p.m. ET on September 30, on all APTN channels and other national broadcast channels)
- Ted Talk by Starleigh Grass – Reconciliation and Education: Lessons to remember before thinking about, talking about, and teaching about Residential schools and reconciliation.
- Feature Film: Indian Horse (An adaptation of Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese’s award-winning novel)
- The Pass System – An investigative documentary (Proceeds from your rental of the film will be donated to organizations that support Indigenous filmmaking).
- We Were Children Documentary
- A Day to Listen 2025 – Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) 6 a.m. to 6 p.m (this year’s theme is The Path Here, The Path Ahead)
- Explore Captivating Indigenous Stories on APTN Documentaries
READ AND LEARN
West Nipissing Public Library
In honour of Truth and Reconciliation Week, the West Nipissing Public Library has created a special display featuring selected titles to help the community reflect, learn, and engage. Visit the display in person or speak with staff for more recommendations. The Library has a dedicated collection of books on Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous topics for all ages. Materials on these subjects are marked with an orange sticker for easy identification.
Learning Resources:
Learning is a vital step in the journey toward reconciliation. Here are some excellent resources to begin with to learn about the stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and the ongoing legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada.
- Familiarize yourself with the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report
- Orange Shirt Society
- National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
- Truth and Reconciliation in Ontario
- 21 Things You May Not Have Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
- Woodland Cultural Centre Indigenous Preservation Museum
- Assembly of First Nations It’s Our Time Toolkit
Here is a list of recommended books for adults and children that explore the history, legacy, and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Availability may vary — please check with your local library or bookseller.
Books for adults:
- The Inconvenient Indian, by Thomas King
- Indian Horse, by Richard Wangamese
- They Called Me Number One, by Bev Sellars
- Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Five Little Indians, by Michelle Good
- Clearing The Plains, by JamesDaschuk
- The Education of Augie Merast, by Joseph Auguste Merasty
- Up Ghost River, by Edmund Metatawabin
- Dear Canada: These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens, by Ruby Slipperjack
- My name is Seepeetza, by Shirley Sterling
Books for children:
- Shi-shi-etko, by Nicola Campbell (Ages 4-10)
- Shin-chi’s Canoe, by Nicola Campbell (Ages 4-10)
- Arctic Stories, by Michael Kusugak (Ages 4-10)
- Kookum’s Red Shoes, by Peter Eyvindson (Ages 4-10)
- Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, by Phyllis Webstad (Age 4-10)
- Not My Girl, by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton (Age 4-10)
- The Train, by Jodie Callaghan (Age 4-10)
- The Boy Who Walked Backwards, by Ben Sures (Age 4-10)
- When We Were Alone, by David A. Robertson (Age 4-10)
- I Am Not a Number, by Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer (Age 9-12)
- Fatty Legs: A True Story, by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Ages 9-12)
- A Stranger at Home: A True Story, by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Ages 9-12)
- No Time to Say Goodbye: Children’s Stories of Kuper Island Residential School, by Sylvia Olsen (Ages 9-12)
- As long as the Rivers Flow, by Larry Loyie (Ages 9-12)
- My Name is Seepeetza, by Shirley Sterling (Ages 9-12)
- We feel good out here = Zhik gwaa’an, nakhwatthaiitat qwiinzii (The Land is Our Storybook), by Julie-Ann André and Mindy Willett (Ages 9-12)
- Goodbye Buffalo Bay, by Larry Loyie (Ages 9-12)
- Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, by Monique Gray Smith (Ages 9-12)
- Sugar Falls, by David A. Robertson (Ages 13 and up)
- Good for Nothing, by Michel Noel (Ages 13 and up)
- Broken Circle, by Theodore Fontaine (Ages 13 and up)