This morning, ISAN Oxford (Indigenous Solidarity & Awareness Network- Oxford) was joined by Warden Marcus Ryan for the raising of the “Every Child Matters flag to mark the start of Truth and Reconciliation Week. This is in advance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, which honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

In addition to the very important role of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in commemorating these tragic events and their lasting impact, this day is meant to draw attention to the need to act on the 94 “Calls to Action” in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. This month, Oxford County Council made a firm commitment to this in the new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan:

 

Goal 1.3: Community health, safety and well-being

#5. Explore Oxford’s role in the “Calls to Action” contained within the Truth and Reconciliation report

 

For this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Oxford County:

• County Council will receive a delegation this Wednesday from the Woodstock Art Gallery on artwork on display in the OCAB lobby in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. You can learn more here.
• Oxford County Library is offering a series of events to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, including a family pottery session with the Ontario Museum of Archeology in Princeton, and a screening of Phyllis Webstad's film, Orange Shirt Day, in Tillsonburg as well as mini excavations with the Ontario Museum of Archaeology. For full details see the “Events Calendar” at www.ocl.net.
• Oxford County Archives offers information and resources for Truth and Reconciliation online at https://archives.oxfordcounty.ca/Archives/Online-Resources/Indigenous-Peoples-of-Ontario-and-Canada-Truth-Reconciliation-and-Residential-Schools.

Please note there are some Oxford County closures for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Administrative offices will be closed in observance on Monday, October 2 this year. Oxford County Library branches other than Princeton and Tillsonburg will be closed on Saturday, September 30. As always, our healthcare employees in Paramedic Services and Woodingford Lodge operate 24/7 along with essential Public Works staff.

For more information on this year’s theme, please visit Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023.