Today marks the start of Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 23 to 27), which honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. The week is followed by National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, which commemorates these tragic events, their lasting impact, and the need to act on the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.

Oxford County is participating in several events to commemorate the occasion.

• County Council will receive a delegation this Wednesday from the Woodstock Art Gallery on the artwork on display in the Council Chamber from Abenaki Canadian artist Rita Letendre in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
• Oxford County Library and Oxford County Archives Local History Speaker Series event: A Talk with Robyn Michaud is happening on Thursday, September 26, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the OCL Tillsonburg branch. More

• ISAN Oxford (Indigenous Solidarity & Awareness Network-Oxford) invites the public to the Every Child Matters flag-raising ceremony at the Oxford County Administration Building on Friday, September 27, at 9:30 a.m. in advance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. More
• 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.
• Oxford County Library offers a variety of books about Truth and Reconciliation, books by Indigenous authors, and titles celebrating Indigenous culture for you to read, enjoy, and reflect upon. Find a children's book list here.

The Oxford County Administration Building, Human Services and Provincial Offences Administration building will be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, reopening on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The Oxford County Waste Management Facility will remain open.

Please note: Oxford County services for Paramedic Services, Woodingford Lodge, and Public Works continue on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

For more information on this year’s focus, please visit www.nctr.ca/truth-and-reconciliation-week-2024