COQUITLAM, B.C., September 25, 2023 – The City of Coquitlam joins communities and individuals across the nation in honouring the Survivors of the residential school system, the children who did not make it home, and their families and communities.
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a significant day for Canadians to reflect and remember the history and legacy of the residential school system. Throughout the week, Coquitlam will be hosting and promoting local events and initiatives to encourage reflection, commemoration and learning.
To commemorate this important day, Coquitlam will raise the Survivors’ flag at City Hall on September 30. As well, on September 30, in support of Truth and Reconciliation Week, the City’s special lighting features along Pinetree Way and at Lafarge Lake will be illuminated orange as a further visual symbol of the importance of truth and reconciliation.
Some civic facilities will be closed and some services will be limited on Saturday, September 30 and Monday, October 2. For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/Hours.
Wear Orange
Before it was nationally designated in 2021, September 30 was an Indigenous-led, grassroots commemoration known as Orange Shirt Day. It marked the beginning of the school year, when Indigenous children were removed from their communities to attend residential schools. The last residential school in B.C. closed in 1983; the last residential school in Canada closed in 1996. Wearing orange throughout September, and especially on September 30, honours both the Survivors and those who didn’t make it home.
Local Truth and Reconciliation Events and Learning Opportunities
Coquitlam recognizes that each person is at a different stage in their journey of learning and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. To support the community in this process, the City is highlighting a number of local events and resources:
- Coquitlam Public Library – Indigenous Film Festival: Explore a series of short films, documentaries, and feature-length films covering Indigenous culture, history, and experiences. Screenings will take place on Wednesday, September 27 (City Centre branch) and Friday, September 29 (City Centre and Poirier branches). Admission is free, and no registration is required. For the full schedule and film details, visit Coquitlam Public Library’s Indigenous Film Festival information page.
- Dogwood Pavilion – Truth and Reconciliation: Tea, Bannock and Learning: Join us from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 28 as Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Avenue) acknowledges the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This free event is presented in partnership with the Dogwood Pavilion Seniors' Society to highlight the importance of reconciliation through guided discussions. Registration is required for this free event. For more information or to register, search Course ID 137969 at coquitlam.ca/registration.
- Glen Pine Pavilion – Truth and Reconciliation Day: Join the City of Coquitlam and Coquitlam Public Library at Glen Pine Pavilion (1200 Glen Pine Court) from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 30. Activities include a screening of the film "Birth of a Family" at 2 p.m., resources to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, light refreshments, and children's crafts. This is a free drop-in event, and no registration is required. Learn more by visiting the Glen Pine Truth and Reconciliation Day calendar listing.
- Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex – Orange Shirt Day Toonie Skate: Wear orange and skate with us on Saturday, September 30 from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 to 4 p.m. in honour of those affected by the residential school system and join us in reinforcing that Every Child Matters. This is a drop-in program; no registration required. Cost: $2/person and includes skate and helmet rentals.
- Place des Arts – All My Relations: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Place des Arts is honoured to host First Nations artist and educator, Christine Mackenzie, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on September 30. Christine will share her unique art perspective around the importance of the cedar bough through a drawing and painting activity. To learn more or register, visit the event listing on the Place des Arts website.
About the Survivors’ Flag
The Survivors’ Flag was created by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Survivors and National Indigenous Organizations. It was conceived in 2021 following confirmation of mass unmarked graves found on the grounds of former residential schools. As members of the public inquired about how they could show respect, many Survivors discussed remembrances and the creation of a Survivors’ flag as a salient and accessible symbol to honour the lives impacted by the residential school system. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada.
Learn More About Truth and Reconciliation
Learning about Indigenous People’s history and culture is a step each of us can take on the path to reconciliation.
Coquitlam’s Commitment to Reconciliation
In 2022, the City of Coquitlam formally identified reconciliation as both a strategic goal and key priority in its Corporate Business Plan, which guides all activities and work across the organization. By doing this, the City has committed to taking concrete steps to enhance its positive relationship with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) and other First Nations. Find out more at coquitlam.ca/reconciliation.
Media contacts:
Wendy Rogers
Director, Intergovernmental Relations
604-927-3949
wrogers@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.