National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognized at Milton library with special programs

Milton Public Library (MPL) is hosting several programs this week in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The day, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day, recognizes the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind, and the survivors of these institutions.

“Commemorating this day to honour survivors and increase understanding of the history and legacy of residential schools is one step in a long journey towards truth-telling and meaningful reconciliation,” says the Milton Public Library.

While all branches of the library will be closed on September 30, there will be several events and programs residents can participate in to learn more about the history of the tragic events and help move reconciliation forward.

The public is also invited to explore their Medicine Learning Garden located behind the Beaty Branch. There they can discover pollinator-friendly plants native to Ontario and learn about Indigenous ways of knowing the land, plants, and medicines.

Residents can stop by any of MPL’s branches to pick up a leaf to share a word or two about what you feel you can do to move reconciliation forward. All leaves will be posted on our tree window displays.

Programs that are happening all week include:

Looking to learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

There are plenty of informative First Nations, Metis and Inuit books one can purchase from GoodMinds.com for people of all ages from The Sharing Circle for young children to Five Little Indians for college students and adults.

There are also plenty of workbooks available for students in all grades to learn from.

Visit https://goodminds.com/collections/the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation to purchase these books and plenty more.

Moving towards Reconciliation

September 30 is The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. To acknowledge this day we ask children to share a word or two about what they feel they can do to move reconciliation forward.
Pick up a leaf cutout from the information desk, to share your response, and return it to the desk to receive an orange shirt day button. The leaves will be placed on a window display at your local branch.

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024  Show more dates

Time: All Day Event

Audience: Middle Grades     School Age

Categories: Children

Orange Shirt Day craft take and make

In honour of Orange Shirt Day and Phyllis Jack Webstad’s story of her trauma caused by the Residential School system, we are going to make beaded orange shirt pins to wear on September 30.

Supplies and instructions can be picked up at any branch starting Monday, September 23. Please note that supplies are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

From 1874 to 1996, approximately 150,000 children from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities were sent to Residential Schools. It is known that over 3,000 children did not return home. With unmarked graves being discovered and records being examined, it is estimated that over 6,000 never saw their families again.

Phyllis (Jack) Webstad was 6 years old in 1973 and going away to a residential school for the first time. Her grandmother saved up and bought her a beautiful, shiny orange shirt to wear. Those who worked at the school stripped her of the bright-coloured gift and never gave it back. That shirt became a symbol of her trauma and heartbreak.

For ages 13-17.

Date: September 23 to 30

Time: All Day Event

Audience: High School

Categories: Teen & Tween

Moccasin Identifier for Children In-Person

The Moccasin Identifier project was developed by Carolyn King in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and The Greenbelt Foundation, to promote public awareness of significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Metis and Indigenous Communities. Participants will learn about Indigenous history and culture and will create a stenciled art project representing local First Nations cultures.

Registration is required.

For ages 8-12

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Main Library – Teal Room

Branch / Location: Main Library

Audience: Middle Grades

Categories: Children

Orange Shirt Day Beaded Pins In-Person

In honour of Orange Shirt Day and Phyllis Jack Webstad’s story of her trauma caused by the Residential School system, we are going to make beaded orange shirt pins to wear on September 30. Drop-ins are welcome, but supplies are limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

From 1874 to 1996, approximately 150,000 children from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities were sent to Residential Schools. It is known that over 3,000 children did not return home. With unmarked graves being discovered and records being examined, it is estimated that over 6,000 never saw their families again.

Phyllis (Jack) Webstad was 6 years old in 1973 and going away to a residential school for the first time. Her grandmother saved up and bought her a beautiful, shiny orange shirt to wear. Those who worked at the school stripped her of the bright-coloured gift and never gave it back. That shirt became a symbol of her trauma and heartbreak.

For ages 13-17.

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024

Time: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Beaty – Program Room

Branch / Location: Beaty Branch

Audience: High School

Categories: Teen & Tween

Moccasin Identifier – Teens In-Person

The Moccasin Identifier project was developed by Carolyn King in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and The Greenbelt Foundation, to promote public awareness of significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Metis and Indigenous Communities.

Participants will learn about Indigenous history and culture and will create a stenciled art project representing local First Nations cultures.

For ages 13-17. Registration is required. 

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Main Library – Teal Room

Branch / Location: Main Library

Audience: High School

Categories: Teen & Tween

Blanket Exercise Workshop @ Sherwood Community Centre In-Person

This hands-on workshop helps people to understand how the colonization of this land impacts those who were here long before settlers arrived. It engages people’s minds and hearts in understanding why the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is often broken and how we can take action together.

Blanket Exercise is an experiential workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.Blankets arranged on the floor represent land and participants are invited to step into the roles of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own blanket for this workshop.

Led by Sherry Saevil, a member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, as part of MPL’s One Book, One Milton programming.

Sherry is a member of Mistawasis nêhiyawak and an Alumni from University of Saskatchewan. She has dedicated her career to challenging systemic barriers and seeking justice for Indigenous communities in Canada.

Sherry has worked with First Nations communities and organizations over the last 30 years in a variety of roles from a historical researcher, historical writer, policy analyst, Law coordinator and Assistant Director of Lands and Resources for Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Currently Sherry is the Indigenous Education Advisor with HCDSB. She is a passionate advocate for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education and believes that Reconciliation is possible through Education.

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Time: 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Sherwood Multipurpose Room #4

Branch / Location: Sherwood Branch

Audience: Adults 18+     High School     Seniors 55+

Categories: Adult

We are still here: Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation In-Person

Truth and reconciliation begins with an openness to learning Canadian history. To this end, Darin Wybenga, Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, will provide a brief overview of the history of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and treaties relevant to the land on which Milton is located.

When Mississaugas of the Credit ancestors arrived in Southern Ontario in the late 17th century, they found themselves stewards of approximately 4 million acres of land at the western end of Lake Ontario. The erosion of their land base, a declining population, and the continual encroachment of settlers threatened the very existence of the people, yet the Mississaugas of the Credit remain on their lands today and are proud of their resilience.

Registration is required.

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Branch / Location: Sherwood Branch

Audience: Adults 18+     Seniors 55+

Categories: Adult

For more information on programs or events at the Milton Public Library, click here.