National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are observed on, September 30, to recognize the legacy of residential schools. These schools operated between the 1870s and 1997 and more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend. This federal holiday honours the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit survivors, their families, communities, and those who perished. It also ensures that we continue to learn about the harms that occurred and ongoing negative impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous communities.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day originated from the personal story and experience of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and well being, and is now an organization that works to educate the public and their  commitment is to ensure that everyone around us matters.

Learn more about Orange Shirt Day or Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story.

Land Acknowledgement

The Town of East Gwillimbury recognises and acknowledges the lands originally used and occupied by the First Peoples of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of the Mayor and Council, we would like to thank them for sharing this land. 

We would also like to acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as EG's closest First Nation community and recognize the unique relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory.  They are the water protectors and environmental stewards of these lands, and we join them in these responsibilities.