The Huron County Library marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 to honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. The library encourages the community to join us in learning more about the experiences of the children, families and communities impacted by Canada’s residential schools, which is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

To support this learning, we’re highlighting events and valuable resources from our collection below:

In-branch:

• Drop into any Huron County Library branch on Sept. 30 to pick up an Every Child Matters button to show your support. Staff will also be honouring Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange.

Events:

• Special Storytime Trail with Indigenous Author Kristi White: Join us Wednesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m., at the MacNaughton Park Pavilion in Exeter for storytelling, songs and a SURPRISE with Indigenous author Kristi White to launch her book series The Adventures of Jay and Gizmo on the MacNaughton-Morrison Storytime Trail! The story will be available on the trail until the end of October.
• Art & Symbols: Painting Turtle Island: Join us Saturday, Oct. 5, 1 p.m., for an enriching cultural experience at the Goderich Branch as we welcome renowned Ojibway artist Red George of Red Dog Art Studios. Participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the cultural and spiritual meanings behind Indigenous symbols in art and their significance in storytelling and tradition. Afterwards, participants of all ages will have the opportunity to create their own painting of the turtle, representing Turtle Island, a name used by some Indigenous peoples for Earth, or North and Central America. Registration required: Please contact the Goderich Branch by email goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca or by phone 519-524-9261 to register.
• Thanks to everyone who joined us in Seaforth on Sept. 26 for a First Nations Beading Workshop and in Exeter on Sept. 19 for Storytelling and First Nations crafting for kids.

Read:

• First Nation Communities Read celebrates the very best of Indigenous literature across Turtle Island. The program encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling as well as intergenerational knowledge transmission. FNCR also helps to increase awareness of the importance of First Nation, Metis and Inuit writing, illustration and publishing. Explore our collection through our online catalogue.

Watch:

• Stream documentaries and film on Kanopy for free with your Huron County Library card.

Learn:

• Cherokee is the language of North America’s Cherokee people. It is one of the healthiest Indigenous languages of North America with an extensive library of literature and a significant community of native speakers. Visit Mango Languages to start learning the language and culture. 
• The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario have a variety of resources available online to learn and reflect on the ongoing legacy of Residential Schools.
• Learn more about the Calls to Action outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report.