Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Friday, September 29

  Open House & Family Activities
  1–5pm | City Hall Rotunda, 70 Collier Street

  Learn more about the Indigenous organizations in our area, including the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC), Red Quills, and more. Family activities provided by the Barrie Public Library will include a story walk of The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad,​ an orange shirt flag craft station, and Every Child Matters button making.

  Flag Raising & Awareness Walk
  4pm | City Hall Courtyard, 70 Collier Street

  The Every Child Matters flag will be raised at City Hall. Show your support, wear orange, and walk with the Indigenous community to honour all who have been impacted by residential schools. Immediately following the flag raising, the walk will start from the courtyard, and proceed around the block and back along the sidewalks. Suitable for all ages.

• Saturday, September 30

  Sacred Fire and Sharing Circle
  6am–2pm | Spirit Catcher, 25 Simcoe Street

  The Sacred Fire and Sharing Circle hosted by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC) will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in honour of all who have been impacted by residential schools. This event is open to everyone as a time to reflect, offer a prayer, share stories, learn, and heal together as a community as we continue to build relationships grounded in respect and reciprocity. The Fire Keepers are Mshukwad Akiwenzie and Jeff Smith and BNFC will have traditional medicines available.

  The day will be welcomed with a Sunrise Ceremony and Pipe Ceremony led by Elder James Carpenter at approximately 6am. Throughout the day, various guests will join the circle to share their thoughts and experiences in relation to truth and reconciliation, the effects of intergenerational trauma, the resiliency and beauty of Indigenous people, and the path forward in healing together for a brighter future.

Community Resources

• Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin & Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle

  Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin: Primary Care Team honours Indigenous wellness through culturally grounded, collaborative primary health care. Mamaway Wiidok​​​daadwin means “everyone helps" which comes from the vision of seeing many people around an individual supporting them by ho​​lding them in their hands – together, the hands help keep the individual straight and tall.

• Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC) 

  Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC) serves as a regional social health and planning organization functioning as an incubator of ideas in areas wher​​e a strong regional voice is needed. Their current initiatives include Indigenous community development in the areas of childcare, health planning, social development, and support to seniors and families.

  Resources:

  • Guide to Cultural Awareness
  • Video series – The Voice of Our People: Cultural Awareness from a First Nation, Métis and Inuit Worldview
  • Indigenous-led community agencies
• Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC)

  ​Since 1987, the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC) has been improving the quality of life for all Indigenous people in the area by providing a gathering place that promotes unity and wholistic healing through culturally based programs, services, and teachings.

• ​Red Quil​​ls

  Red Quills delivers cultural sharing and provides services to non-Indigenous sectors to build meaningful relationships with the Indigenous community through partnership and joint ventures. The road to reconciliation is knowing the Indigenous history of Simcoe County and understanding each​​ other through the rich Indigenous culture of this area.

• Urban Inuit Identity Project

  The Urban Inuit Identity Project provides education for community builders, healthcare and social services about the cultural uniqueness of Inuit and support that empowers Inuit identity.​​​

• Barrie Public L​ibrary

  BPL has a v​irtual hub​ and opportunities for all ages to learn about Indigenous history, culture, and people at the library. Resources and programming include reading recommendations for both adults and children, book chats, family activities and storytime, National Film Board short film screenings, mental health and wellness resources, and more. Check out their calendar to search for more opportunities throughout the year.

• Local Indigeno​us Communities

  Local indigeno​us communities can provide resources to help you learn about Indigenous peoples, culture, and heritage:

  • Chippewas of Georgina Island
  • Chippewas of Rama First Nation
  • Beausoleil First Nation
  • Wahta Mohawk Territory
  • Moose Deer Point First Nation
  • Georgian Bay Métis Council
• Other Resources for Learning

  In addition to the​​ links above, below are other resources to help you learn about Indigenous peoples, culture, and heritage:

  • Regional Indigenous organizations, including: The Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle (BRAWC), Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Serivices, Enaahtig Healing Lodge & Learning Centre, Georgian Bay Native Women's Association, Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, and Orillia Native Women's Group
  • Resources available through non-Indigenous led organizations: Canadian Mental Health Association Cultural Resources, Catulpa Community Services FNMI Facilitator, Chigamik Community Health Centre, Georgian College Indigenous Studies & Resource Centre, EarlyON Indigenous Coordinator, and Empower Simcoe Indigenous Housing Worker
  • Indigenous health resources, including Jordan's Principle, Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit
  • Anishinabek Nation
  • Mé​tis Nation of Ontario
  • Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, Huronia Historical Parks​
  • Native-Land.ca - A resource to learn more about the lands we're on and the history of those lands​​.
  • National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Reports
  • Spirit Bear's Guide to the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action
  • Legacy of Hope Foundation​ - National, Indigenous-led organization working to promote healing and reconciliation through education about the history and intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System, Sixties Scoop, and the impact on survivors, their descendants, and communities​. Resources include a variety of ​videos, podcasts​​.
  • University of Alberta Indigenous Canada​ - ​A free, online course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues from an Indigenous perspective.
  • Future History​ - A documentary series (2 seasons) that explores the diversity of perspectives and knowledge within the Indigenous community in an effort to create deeper understanding about shared history while looking forward to a brighter future. Directed by Jennifer Podemski and written by Tamara Podemski. Available on CBC Gem​.​
  • CBC Gem: Indigenous Stories​ - A collection of shows, movies, and documentaries exploring the histories and stories of Indigenous Peoples
  • National Film Board​ - An extensive list of free films, including Indigenous voices​ and residential schools​
  • Government of Canada National Indigenous History Month (June) & National Indigenous Peoples Day