The Municipality of Kincardine is committed to creating awareness and inspiring action to move forward on the journey to reconciliation.  Read about activities happening over the summer.

The Municipality of Kincardine and Walker House have partnered to host three ground-breaking exhibits from the Legacy of Hope on the residential school system. 

The exhibits are on display from May 19 to September 2, 2023 and are intended to create awareness, promote healing and encourage acts of reconciliation.  

The Legacy of Hope Foundation exhibits aim to increase public awareness about challenges facing Indigenous Peoples, including the history and impacts of the residential school system.

The Foundation also works to address racism, foster empathy and understanding, and inspire action to improve the situation of Indigenous peoples today.

Exhibits

Three exhibits are on display from May 19, 2023, to September 2, 2023. 

Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am- 5:00 pm

Members of the public can access the exhibits free of charge.

Youth on Reconciliation - Imagine a Canada

Welcome Centre - Kincardine Centre for the Arts
707 Queen Street, Kincardine

This exhibition explores the concept of Reconciliation through artistic expression and what that means to youth in Canada. The banners feature artworks and poems by winners of the first Imagine a Canada    competition announced in March 2016. Imagine a Canada is an annual national art and essay competition sponsored by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with Rideau Hall. It asks young people to share their thoughts on what the future of Canada can look like through the lens of hope, respect and Reconciliation.

Remembering, Honouring, and The Way Forward: 10 Years After the Indian Residential School Apology

The Walker House
235 Harbour Street, Kincardine 

This 10th Year Commemorative Exhibition was created to acknowledge the dark chapter in Canada’s history, to remember the Survivors who made it out of the Schools, and to honour those who did not, so that we can learn, change, take action and build respectful relationships between Canadians and Indigenous Peoples moving forward. These relationships must be based on integrity, understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the resilience of Indigenous Peoples and for the many invaluable contributions that formed the foundation of this country we now share. This Exhibition provides all Canadians with a unique opportunity to reflect on what they have learned, what actions they can take and what Reconciliation means for them and what they want for the journey forward. 

View the Statement of Apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.

Killing the Indian in the Child: Generations Lost

The Walker House
235 Harbour Street, Kincardine 

For several centuries, Indigenous children were taken from their homes and communities and placed in institutions called Residential Schools. Th ese schools were run by religious orders in collaboration with the Federal Government and were attended by children as young as four or five years of age. (100 years was an arbitrary number that was used for marketing purposes only) Separated from their families and prohibited from speaking their native languages and practicing their culture, the vast majority of the over 150,000 children that attended these schools experienced neglect and suffering. The impacts of sexual, mental, and physical abuse, shame, and deprivation endured at Residential Schools continue to affect generations of Survivors, their families, and communities today. Remarkably, in the face of this tremendous adversity, many Survivors and their descendants have retained their language and their culture and continue to work toward healing and Reconciliation. This is likely due to their traditional and cultural beliefs, teachings and way of life prior to attending Residential Schools.

Share your message of peace, hope and reconciliation 

We invite you to share your message of peace, hope and Reconciliation.

Crisis Line

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for former residential school students: 1-866-925-4419

The exhibits contain subject matter that may be disturbing to some visitors, especially to Survivors of the residential school system. Please call the crisis line if you or someone you know is triggered while reading the content of this website, or experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.

Official Opening Ceremony

Saturday June 10, 2022

Victoria Park, Kincardine Centre for the Arts, 707 Queen Street 

There will be activities from sunrise to 5:00 pm.

Land Acknowledgement

Acknowledging the traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples, whose ancestors were the first to inhabit, care for and live on this land is a small yet very important step in the process of reconciliation.

We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands and treaty territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which includes the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.

We recognize and deeply appreciate the contributions that Indigenous Peoples have made, both in caring for this land and shaping and strengthening this community.

Learning and acknowledging Indigenous history and culture moves us towards a journey of truth, healing and reconciliation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and the Historic Saugeen Métis (HSM). 

Contact(s)