Photos: Oisin McHugh

Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we would like to share some ways that we are approaching the work, and that we encourage you to get involved in. 

Orange Shirt Day 

In addition to Saturday, September 30 being the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is also Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is meant to bring awareness to the harmful legacies of residential schools and affirm that every child matters. We encourage all Whistlerites to wear orange to honour the Survivors. Orange shirts are available for purchase online at slcc.ca/shop/orange-shirt/, with pick-up available on Friday, September 29. Purchasing from the SLCC supports authentic Indigenous Artists and meaningful employment for members of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation.  

Survivors’ Flag 

New commemorative flags have been raised at Municipal Hall and installed at the Library and the RCMP building. The RMOW obtained Survivors’ Flags from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Ottawa as a meaningful way to visually mark the day. Each element depicted was carefully selected by survivors from across Canada. Elements include families, children, and the spirits of the children who never returned home, among others. Raising this flag is a symbol of our commitment to reconciliation and an ongoing act of remembering and honouring the lives both lost and impacted by the residential school system. 

Learning 

There will be free admission to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, courtesy of CIBC, on Saturday, September 30. We encourage you to take this opportunity to experience and connect with immersive programming and storytelling of Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl at the SLCC, the living culture of the original people of the shared territory where Whistler resides. 

If you are looking for ways to continue your personal learning journey, the Library has curated a selection of books you can borrow. Get a preview here: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Whistler Library

While you’re there, check out “Weaving Our Way Toward Reconciliation,” a piece of weaving on exhibit created at the Whistler Public Library in September 2022 by celebrated Squamish Nation Artist Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph, in collaboration with members of the Whistler community. 

We recognize there is much work to be done on our path to reconciliation. Each year we look to take additional steps and continue walking this path. Thank you for walking with us, Whistler.