City to observe National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Brantford, ON – On Monday, September 30, 2024, the City of Brantford will join communities across Canada to recognize and observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day was created to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis survivors, their families and communities, and to provide an important opportunity for Canadians to remember the victims of the Indian Residential School System and to reflect on the painful lasting impacts on Residential School survivors, their families and Indigenous communities.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation falls on the same day as Orange Shirt Day, inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a former residential school student who had her orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school. Wearing orange on September 30 honours and remembers the experiences and loss of Indigenous children who were taken from their homes.

Local events in observance of National Truth and Reconciliation Day

To demonstrate our solidarity with Indigenous communities, and to promote Indigenous culture, the City has partnered with Brant Native Housing to host the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Powwow Event on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Mohawk Park (51 Lynwood Drive) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event will feature Indigenous drumming, dancing, singing and food. All are welcome and attendees are encouraged to wear their orange ‘every child matters’ shirt, or bring a canned goods donation in exchange for a Brantford Native Housing orange shirt.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, all are welcome to join the Brantford Indigenous Support Centre’s (BRISC) Every Child Matters March from the Brantford & District Civic Centre to the Woodland Cultural Centre starting at 2 p.m. The Woodland Cultural Centre (184 Mohawk Street) is hosting a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event on Monday, September 30 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. inviting people to come together to remember and honour the history and resilience of Indigenous peoples. The event includes a screening of the film Silent No More, Survivor Talk and Q&A, Truth and Reconciliation Commission activities and more. Learn more at the Woodland Cultural Centre’s website.

Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford Campus is hosting MarketFest: In Peace and Friendship, a celebration of Indigenous artists, artisans, performers, thinkers and makers on Friday, September 27 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Six Nations Polytechnic is hosting a Truth and Reconciliation Day Event on Friday, September 27 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. where attendees are invited to visit, create and learn more about truth and reconciliation in the community. Learn more at the website.

To learn more about National Truth and Reconciliation Day, please visit Brantford.ca/NDTR.

Schedule changes

For the public’s information, the following schedule changes will be in place to observe the upcoming National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Monday, September 30, 2024. There are no changes to the collection of regularly scheduled green bin, garbage and recycling.

Brantford City Hall at 58 Dalhousie Street will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024 and reopen on Tuesday, October 1 at 8:30 a.m. While closed, all customer service calls will be routed to the City’s after-hours provider.

City services/facilities that are open on Monday, September 30, 2024

Branlyn Community Centre
Brantford and District Civic Centre
Brantford Lift: regular service
Brantford Transit: regular service
Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre
Landfill site
Lions Park Arena
T.B. Costain/SC Johnson Community Centre
Walter Gretzky Golf Course and Pro Shop: Tee times begin at 7:30 a.m. with the last tee time at 5:30 p.m. The Pro Shop is open from 7 a.m. to dusk. Tee times can be booked online at Brantford.ca/Golf.
Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre (including Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition and Discover Brantford Desk)
Woodman Park Community Centre

City services/facilities that are closed on Monday, September 30, 2024

Beckett Recreation Centre
Bell Homestead National Historic Site
Brantford Public Library (Main Branch and St. Paul Branch) Self-serve library kiosks at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre and Sobeys on Shellard Lane will continue to be available to use with a valid Brantford Library card.
Brantford City Hall Customer Service
Parking Enforcement Office located inside City Hall
Ontario Works Brantford at 225 Colborne Street

Online Services Reminder

Many City services can be requested or addressed using one of our comprehensive online forms, meaning you can conveniently request a City service from the comfort of your home by visiting Brantford.ca/RequestService.

-30-