All three North Shore municipal libraries will be open on Thursday (Sept. 30) for the first federally recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to facilitate reflection, education, and awareness.
Community members are encouraged to visit their local library to learn and reflect on the history of residential schools in Canada and the lasting impacts they have had on survivors and families.
In June, the federal government passed legislation to make Sept. 30 a statutory holiday, as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Call to Action 80. Earlier this month, the Province of British Columbia followed suit, recognizing it in the public sector.
“North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library each have a variety of learning resources available to support personal reconciliation journeys and to help community members better understand, accept and learn about shared histories,” a NVCL release stated.
The libraries will also have virtual events that community members can register to watch from home, including a session on how to get started on your personal reconciliation journey, a chance to learn about First Nation songs and crafts, and the opportunity to tune into an Indigenous film.
The Museum of North Vancouver also has educational resources available on its website at monova.ca.
Virtual events to tune into
North Vancouver Public District Library
Getting Started: Truth & Reconciliation
Start your own self-directed learning plan. Join a virtual session and learn about the atrocities and realities of the residential school system and their enduring legacy, and how to get started with your personal reconciliation journey.
Date/Time: Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. Register online.
West Vancouver Memorial Library
Storytelling, Songs, and Crafts with Lisa Lewis | Ages 5–9
Join Lisa Lewis as she reads her book Tsunaxen’s Journey and teaches traditional Squamish songs and crafts.
Date/Time: Thursday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Register online.
Written by Tomson Highway, composed by Matthew Ricketts, and performed by the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, the film tells the story of Chaakapesh, a trickster who sets out to stop the massacre of his people by white settlers through teaching these settlers to laugh.
Date/Time: Thursday, Sept. 30, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register online.
