Strathcona County honours Indigenous Peoples on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Strathcona County will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation statutory holiday on September 30. County offices and the Strathcona County Library will be closed, waste pickup will be as scheduled, Broadview recycling station will be open, and the Enviroservice building closed.

At the September 14 Council meeting, Mayor Rod Frank proclaimed September 30, 2021, as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Strathcona County. This important day will honour survivors, their families, and communities, and commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools as part of the reconciliation process and Truth and Reconciliation calls to action.

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, please take time to listen and learn from Indigenous Elders, leaders, storytellers and community members and honour those impacted by the painful legacy of residential schools. There are also opportunities to do this in the County on September 30:

• The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is hosting a free day of learning, sharing and building relationships. Events include an Indigenous Elder welcome and blessing, nature scavenger hunts, Indigenous performances and family-friendly activities. The Strathcona County Library Bookmobile will also be on site with Felice Gladue and the Métis on the Move exhibit. More information is available at strathcona.ca/IndigenousConnections 

• Take in the talents of Indigenous artists with an evening of local blues, folk and instrumental music at Festival Place featuring Jay Gilday with Matthew Cardinal and Chubby Cree. Tickets are available at festivalplace.ca

Strathcona County Library has an all-ages book list, with titles written by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis authors. These stories range from impactful memoirs and sociopolitical commentary to beautiful graphic novels and picture books for children. You can find the book list at bit.ly/scl-residential-schools.

September 30 also marks Orange Shirt Day; a day to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. 

Orange Shirt Day tool kits are available for people who are interested. Please call the Family and Community Services call line at 780-464-4044 or email familyresourcenetwork@strathcona.ca for more information on how to pick up your kit.

Strathcona County is located on Treaty Six Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region Two and Four and honours the First Peoples of this land. The Truth and Reconciliation Committee report identifies 10 principles upon which Calls to Action are based, including that “All Canadians, as Treaty peoples, share responsibility for establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships.”

Strathcona County has an inherent responsibility to foster healthier relationships with First Peoples and further the Calls to Action.

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Contact:  Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595