(Barrie, ON) – Community members are invited to gather, learn and reflect on September 30 in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Events are being offered through a collaboration between the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC), the City of Barrie and the Barrie Public Library.
Sacred Fire and Sunrise Ceremony
Spirit Catcher (25 Simcoe Street) on September 30, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Sacred Fire and Sunrise Ceremony, hosted by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre and Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin, will honour everyone who has been impacted by residential schools. All are welcome to reflect, offer a prayer, share stories, learn and heal together as a community.
The Memorial Walk will begin at 11 a.m. at the Spirit Catcher. Participants will walk along the water’s edge to Centennial Beach and return to the Spirit Catcher.
The event will take place rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to wear orange and are welcome to bring skirts and hand drums. Registration is not required, and all activities are open to everyone.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/NDTR
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Affected Services:
The following City of Barrie services will be affected on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday, September 30, 2026:
- City Hall will be closed.
- The landfill site will be closed.
- Recreation and Community Centres will remain open for drop-in programming. There are no registered programs scheduled (eg. swimming lessons, registered fitness classes, etc.).
Barrie Transit will run on a regular weekday schedule on September 30, and there will be no change to the waste collection schedule on September 30.
In 2020, the Canadian Government introduced legislation to establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
