September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This month and all year, we invite our community to connect with stories, histories, and perspectives shared by Indigenous voices as a meaningful way to learn about Indigenous Peoples in Canada as we walk the path of reconciliation.
Join LPPL and community partners at upcoming events:
Métis Encampment & Orange Shirt Day Activities
Monday, September 28, 6 – 8 pm | Meridian Community Centre, Pelham
Explore a traditional encampment and learn about Métis culture and teachings with Derrick Pont, president of the Niagara Region Métis Council.
Walking Together: Steps Toward Reconciliation
Tuesday, September 29, 6 – 8 pm | Fleming Centre, Beamsville
Join a community walk to honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools. Visit a traditional Métis encampment and learn about Métis culture and teachings with Derrick Pont, president of the Niagara Region Métis Council.
Presented in partnership with the Town of Lincoln and Downtown Bench Beamsville, in collaboration with the Niagara Regional Native Centre.
Niagara Regional Native Centre Food Drive:
All branches will be collecting non-perishable food items for the NRNC food pantry from September 28 – October 3. See the list of most-needed items here.
Find below a list of library and local resources.
The Canadian Library
The Fleming Branch hosts a microgallery of The Canadian Library, a grassroots art installation project that acts as a memorial to all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls (MMIWG2S) and Children.
The Moose Hide Campaign
The Moose Hide Campaign began as a BC-born Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending violence towards women and children. It has since grown into a nationwide movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from local communities, First Nations, governments, schools, colleges/universities, police forces and many other organizations – all committed to taking action to end this violence.
Moose hide and synthetic pins are available at all branches.
Explore LPPL’s collection of Indigenous stories and ideas:
All locations have dedicated Indigenous collections. Look for the orange “Indigenous Author” sticker on the spine. You can also find Indigenous titles in eBook and audiobook formats on Libby and CloudLibrary.
StoryWalks®
This fall, read Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell at Hilary Bald Park (4485 Garden Gate Terrace, Beamsville).
September 21 – October 3: Read With Our Orange Hearts by Phyllis Webstad at the Meridian Community Centre (100 Meridian Way, Fonthill).
September 21 – October 3: Read Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad in the windows at the Fleming Branch.
Community Events & Spaces
Town of Pelham
Discover local activities taking place in the Town of Pelham.
Town of Lincoln
Visit Sho’aríshon Park in Jordan, which honours the history of the Neutral Nation (Attawandaron), the first known inhabitants of the land now called Lincoln. Created in close collaboration with Indigenous partners, the park includes a rain garden with native species, an interpretive longhouse structure, shaded gathering spaces, storytelling signage, and public art.
Other Sites to Explore
94 Calls to Action
Read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (also available to borrow in print). Find a child-friendly edition from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society here.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Take part in free daily Lunch and Learn sessions from September 21 – 25.
Truth and Reconciliation Week with the Downie Wenjack Fund
Find online learning opportunities through the Downie Wenjack Fund and tune in to A Day to Listen on September 30.
Woodland Cultural Centre
The Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford works to preserve Haudenosaunee language, history and art through its museum, art galleries and educational programs. Established in 1972, after the Mohawk Institute Residential School closed, Woodland has spent 50 years collecting artifacts and celebrating Indigenous cultural heritage.
The Witness Blanket
Inspired by a woven blanket, the Witness Blanket is a large-scale work of art. It contains hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings, and traditional and cultural structures from across Canada.
Rekindling All Our Relations Audio Tour
Embark on a self-guided audio tour hike of the stunning Niagara Glen. Free to the public, this unique hiking experience merges nature, culture, and storytelling into a profound exploration of Indigenous wisdom and connection
The Great Niagara Escarpment Indigenous Cultural Map
This is a multimedia online resource containing photos, video and information that identifies important Indigenous historic, cultural, and natural world locations along more than 750 kilometres from Niagara Falls to the western region of Manitoulin Island.
NativeLand.ca
Discover the Indigenous languages and treaties for your local area by entering an address into the Native Land Digital interactive map. Its mission is to map Indigenous lands that changes, challenges and improves the way people see history and the present day.
Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
Learn more about First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples, along with information about Truth and Reconciliation in Canada through the online version of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.