​​​​​​BRAMPTON, ON – The City of Brampton will recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday, September 30, honouring the children who did not return home, Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.

In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, the City of Brampton will:

• Proclaim National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at the September 23 City Council meeting.
• Raise the Every Child Matters flag on September 29, at 9 a.m., in Ken Whillans Square.
• Illuminate the City Hall clock tower orange on September 30, in recognition of Orange Shirt Day.
• Lower flags at all City facilities to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on September 30, in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
  

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #80, which calls for a national day to honour Survivors and ensure the history and legacy of residential schools remain an important part of the reconciliation process.​

September 30 also marks Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led day of remembrance inspired by the experience of residential school Survivor Phyllis Webstad. Observed since 2013, Orange Shirt Day raises awareness of the children, family and community impacts of residential schools and affirms that Every Child Matters.

Learn, reflect and take action

The City encourages residents to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day by:

• Listening to the stories and experiences of residential school Survivors.
• Learning about the history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system.
• Exploring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
• Learning about the significance of Orange Shirt Day.
• Supporting Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives serving Survivors, families and communities.
  

For more information about the City of Brampton’s Equity Office and its work to advance Indigenous reconciliation, visit brampton.ca/equity​.

Join upcoming community and City events 

What We Carry Film Screening at Brampton Arts Organization (BAO)

Come together for a community screening of What We Carry directed by Jessie Anthony (Onondaga), presented by Brampton Arts Organization in partnership with imagineNATIVE’s 2026 Tour Program. The documentary explores the legacy of residential schools through the perspectives of a former teacher’s family and Bigstone Cree community members.

Date: Wednesday, September 30

Time: 6 p.m. 

Location: BAO Office, 8 Nelson St. W., Unit 301

Strength of the Earth and Circle of Quiet Art Unveiling

Join the City of Brampton for the unveiling of Strength of the Earth and Circle of Quiet, two new public artworks by Anishinaabe artist Jeannette Ladd. The event will include an opening drum circle, artist remarks, a hands-on activity and a guided walk between the two parkettes.

Date: Saturday, October 3

Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Mashkiki Parkette, 100 Culture Cres.

City of Brampton’s Pow Wow

The City of Brampton, together with Algoma University and The Indigenous Network, is hosting its second Traditional Pow Wow. This Indigenous celebration of culture and traditions is a free, family-friendly event bringing the community together in the spirit of learning, respect and reconciliation. The traditional gathering will feature Pow Wow drums, traditional dancing, craft and food market vendors, with Host Drum Young Tribe, Co-Host Drum Snake Island and invited drums Eagle Flight Singers, Burning Plains and Sheldon Primeaux and Ol’ Style Singers.

Date: Saturday, October 24

Time: 12 to 8 p.m.

Location: Brampton Soccer Centre, 1495 Sandalwood Pkwy. E.​

Additional resources:

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation​
• The Survivors Speak​​
• Orange Shirt Society

City of Brampton closures and service changes for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day​

In observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, most City of Brampton offices, including City Hall, will be closed. 

Essential and Critical Services

All essential and critical services, including Fire and Emergency Services, Traffic Services, Enforcement and By-law Services, Road Operations and Security Services, will continue to operate as usual. 

Service Brampton

Service Brampton is available 24/7, including holidays, with only urgent service requests handled between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. Urgent service requests are situations that impact community safety, such as vehicles blocking emergency access, injured or aggressive animals and traffic signal outages. They are actioned in a priority sequence. Residents can contact Service Brampton for any City of Brampton and Region of Peel inquiries by using the Brampton 311 app (available on the App Store and Google Play), visiting 311brampton.ca or by dialing 3-1-1 or 905.874.2000 (outside Brampton). Non-urgent requests should be submitted through the app or online at 311brampton.ca.

Brampton Transit

Brampton Transit will be operating on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Customer Service counters at the terminals will be open. Clark and Sandalwood Facilities, including Lost and Found, will be closed. The Contact Centre will be available to assist from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 905.874.2999.  

For route and schedule information, call 905.874.2999, visit bramptontransit.com or follow @bramptontransit on X for service updates.  

Brampton Parks

All City trails, playgrounds and parks, including off-leash dog parks, remain open on Wednesday, September 30. Visit brampton.ca/parks​ to explore the more than 870 parks and recreational trails in Brampton. 

Brampton Recreation

All recreation facilities will operate during regular hours on September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. All recreation programs will continue as scheduled. Visit brampton.ca/recreation to learn more about programs. 

Brampton Library

All Brampton Library branches will be closed on Wednesday, September 30. Brampton Library staff have compiled reading lists of recommended books, which can be found  here​. Everyone is welcome to attend Indigenous programs presented by Brampton Library. Join us for Stories & Songs with Pam Levi & Spencer Bringham on September 22 and the Moccasin Identifier Workshops on September 27 and September 29.​

Brampton Animal Services

The Brampton Animal Shelter will be closed on Wednesday, September 30. Animal Services officers will be on the road for patrol and will continue to respond to emergency calls after hours. ​

Quote

“National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day remind us of the importance of acknowledging the truths of our shared history and honouring the children who never returned home, Survivors and the families and communities impacted by residential schools. Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility, and I encourage everyone in Brampton to take time to listen, learn and reflect on how we can each contribute to meaningful change.” - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton​