The Champlain Library is proud to join others in recognizing Thursday, September 30 as Orange Shirt Day and the first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day will honour survivors, their families and communities for the loss of thousands of Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in residential schools. It will also ensure public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
To help commemorate this day, staff members will be set up outside the library from 1 pm to 4:30 pm wearing orange T-shirts. The library’s collection of Indigenous books will also be on display for patrons to borrow. As September is Library Card Sign-Up month, staff will be on hand to sign up new members to the library and answer any questions people may have. A book sale will also take place offering books for all ages in English and French.
For more information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and how it is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html. Every Child Matters!