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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release   
  
September 26, 2024 
  
City of Toronto and Toronto Council Fire partner to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
 
The City of Toronto will commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with ongoing events and activities through Monday, September 30; including the opening of a new Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square.

The City is proud to partner with Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre to present the seventh annual Indigenous Legacy Gathering from Friday, September 27 through Monday, September 30 at Nathan Phillips Square.

The Gathering acknowledges and honours residential school survivors, their children and communities, and commemorates Orange Shirt Day. The Gathering celebrates the diversity of Indigenous Peoples’ cultures, traditions and languages through workshops, presentations, stories, teachings, dance, film and music. Members of the public are welcome to attend, free of charge, as an opportunity to learn, reflect and engage.

More information is available at: https://www.councilfire.ca/indigenous-legacy-gathering/ .

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Activities on September 30

The new Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square will be open to the public starting at 2 p.m. on September 30. Led by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre in partnership with the City, this space honours residential school survivors and children lost to their families and communities, and Indigenous cultural traditions.

The Spirit Garden consists of a two-metre-tall turtle sculpture surrounded by a teaching, learning, sharing and healing space incorporating elements that represent First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures including: a teaching lodge, a Three Sisters artwork and teaching garden, Two Row Wampum (Kuswenta), a Métis canoe and an Inuksuk. More information is available at: https://www.councilfire.ca/spirit-garden and http://toronto.ca/nps

Flags on official flagpoles at Toronto City Hall, Metro Hall, civic centres, and other City facilities will be flown at half-mast to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square will be lit orange.

The Survivors Flag – an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada – will also be flown at half-mast at City Hall and civic centres.

Additional City activities:

ReconciliACTION at the Market Gallery (on display until December 29) is a free multimedia exhibition by Nyle Miigizi Johnston and W' dae b' wae showcasing Anishinaabe stories and teachings through paintings, music, and animations. More information at: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/.

A free colouring book will be available at all 10 Toronto History Museums from September 27 to 29, showcasing Anishinaabe stories and teachings. It features artwork by Nyle Miigizi Johnston and W' dae b' wae from the ReconciliACTION exhibit.


The fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognizes the ongoing trauma caused by residential and day schools, and remembers those who never returned home, their families and survivors. It is also an opportunity to commit to reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Toronto and across Canada.

The City is committed to advancing truth, reconciliation and justice. It is making progress on its Reconciliation Action Plan, which will guide the City in its actions towards truth, justice and reconciliation until 2032.

The City’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation proclamation will be available at:
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/proclamations-congratulatory-scrolls-and-letters-of-greeting/proclamations/proclamations-2024/

More information on all programming is available at:
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/indigenous-events-awards/national-day-for-truth-reconciliation/

Quote 
 
“The City of Toronto is honoured to support the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre and all the First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals and organizations involved, who are creating places to experience the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in a significant way.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow 
 
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.x.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.  
 
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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca  

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