Municipal hall and select facilities closed on September 30

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has formally recognized September 30 as National Truth and Reconciliation Day.   

In June, the federal government declared September 30 as a public holiday that applies to all federally regulated public and private employees related to a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Starting September 27, flags will be flown at half-mast at all municipal buildings and there will be a community moment of silence at noon on September 30. The Fitzsimmons Bridge will be illuminated in orange. In partnership with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, the municipality will also be distributing Truth and Reconciliation toolkits to businesses in an effort to share the importance of the National day of Truth and Reconciliation and the significance of living and working on the Shared Territories.

The Whistler Public Library will be giving away 100 books on the subject of Truth & Reconciliation on September 30. Although the library will be closed on this day of reflection, community members can stop by the library lobby between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to receive a free book. The library staff has also compiled a list of recommended resources regarding the Residential School System. For more information on the book giveaway and Truth and Reconciliation resources, visit whistlerlibrary.ca.

For September 30, the RMOW is partnering with the Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) to deliver education and interactive programming on Truth and Reconciliation. Admission to the Cultural Centre will be free on September 30 courtesy of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. For a schedule of events, visit slcc.ca.

“September 30 is a day to reflect and learn. I encourage all those who have a connection to the territories of the Líl̓wat and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People to visit the Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre, an incredible space to learn about our shared history and to contemplate our roles in supporting truth and reconciliation. To honour the Indigenous children who never returned home from residential schools, there will be a community moment of silence at noon.” said Mayor Jack Crompton.  “Although this one day has been declared for Truth and Reconciliation, it is an ongoing learning process. A process we are just beginning. Council and staff have committed to steps towards reconciliation and learning, and we anticipate our steps to grow as we embark on this shared learning journey.”

How the Resort Municipality of Whistler is supporting Truth and Reconciliation

The most important action that we can each take to support Truth and Reconciliation is to listen and learn. The municipality continues to contemplate meaningful ways to learn and acknowledge our colonial past and support Council, staff and the community in their learning journey. 

In June 2021, the municipality adopted its territorial statement in collaboration with the leadership and cultural team of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), including Leadership from the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation, to show the municipality’s commitment and gratitude to the Lil̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh:

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is grateful to be on the shared, unceded territory of the Lil’wat People, known in their language as Lil̓wat7úl, and the Squamish People, known in their language as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. We respect and commit to a deep consideration of their history, culture, stewardship and voice.

By October 1, the majority of full time municipal staff will have participated in cultural awareness and sensitivity training. Going forward, the RMOW will continue to provide training and resources to staff to enable ongoing opportunities for listening, learning, and action on truth and reconciliation. To support further learning, an online resource library for staff has been established.

We recognize that there are thousands of years of complex systems of governances that have gone into shaping this shared territory. We commit, as a local government to a deep consideration of the Lil̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh’s history, culture, stewardship and voice and how this shapes our work. For more information on the shared territories of Lil̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and to access learning resources, visit whistler.ca/SharedTerritories.