National Truth and Reconciliation Week | September 25-30, 2026

Date: 
Friday, September 25th, 2026

 

National Truth and Reconciliation Week

September 25 – 30, 2026

WHEREAS, The federal government has passed legislation to make September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This important day gives an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about the history of Residential Schools in Canada; and

WHEREAS, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is when we recognize the ongoing trauma caused by residential and day schools and remember the survivors, their families and those who never returned home; and

WHEREAS, we commit to the process of truth, justice and reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis in Fort Frances, Ontario and across Canada; and

WHEREAS, from the 1870’s through 1996, governments abducted more than 150 000 Indigenous children between 4 to 16 years old from their communities. Estimates show more than 4000 Indigenous children did not return home from the 139 identified Residential Schools in Canada; and

WHEREAS, Residential School harm has negatively impacted all Indigenous Peoples, communities and Canadians, and caused trauma felt through multiple generations; and

WHEREAS, The Survivors Flag will be raised at the Fort Frances Civic Centre marking the beginning of a week of special events based on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; and

WHEREAS, The Survivors' Flag being raised was created by the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Survivors and National Indigenous Organizations to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools; and

WHEREAS, Truth telling, Decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization are opportunities for all Canadians to participate in healing, and developing a shared understanding of the historical impacts that shape the experiences of the Indigenous People of Canada; and

WHEREAS, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has been observed and reflected upon in our region as a call to remember and a call to action; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Fort Frances is striving and committed to be a Town of Reconciliation, creating long-term, systemic change and new relations based on mutual understanding and respect; and

THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT:

  1. I Andrew Hallikas, Mayor of the Town of Fort Frances hereby proclaim the week of September 25-30, 2026 to be National Truth and Reconciliation Week in the Town of Fort Frances;
  2. The Town of Fort Frances will publicly raise or display the Survivors Flag in honour of residential school survivors and all the lives and communities affected by the 139 federally run Residential Schools in Canada.
  3. I encourage all citizens to reflect and work together on equality, acceptance, and inclusion for all people throughout the year.
  4. A copy of this resolution shall be sent to the multi-agency Truth and Reconciliation Committee and shared with the community.

 

PDF: 
PDF icon truth_and_reconciliation_2026.pdf