Media Release - September 22, 2026 - Municipality of Kincardine Recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

KINCARDINE, ON – The Municipality of Kincardine will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on September 30, a day that acknowledges the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada and the lasting impacts of the residential school system.

Established following years of advocacy and calls for justice, NDTR represents an important step in reconciliation. The date is also known as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led initiative that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not.

Survivors’ Flag Raising and Community Displays

As part of local recognition, the Survivors’ Flag will be raised at all three community flag poles on Friday, September 25. The public is invited to join the Municipality in front of the Bruce County Library, Kincardine Branch at 11:00 a.m. for a ceremonial flag raising.

The Survivors’ Flag will be displayed at the Kincardine Library, Tiverton’s Station 11 Fire Hall, and the Davidson Centre until October 2. Created through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the flag serves as a symbol of remembrance, honouring survivors, their families, and communities, and memorializing the children who never returned home.

From September 25 to October 2, community members are also invited to explore resource displays and educational materials at:

• Davidson Centre – 601 Durham Street
• Municipal Administration Centre – 1475 Concession 5
• Welcome Centre – 707 Queen Street

Local Opportunities to Learn and Reflect

Community members are encouraged to wear orange on September 30 as a visible act of remembrance and support. There are also local opportunities to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action in recognition of NDTR.

On Saturday, September 26, the Bruce County Library, Kincardine Branch will host a screening of The Secret Path at 11:00 a.m. The film tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, whose death while attempting to return home from residential school became a catalyst for greater awareness of the residential school experience and its lasting impacts.

On Sunday, September 27, the Municipality, in partnership with Bruce County, will host the Walk for Wenjack at Station Beach from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Community members are warmly invited to join us as we honour Chanie Wenjack’s legacy and symbolically recreate his final journey. Residents are encouraged to register and participate as part of their own journey toward reconciliation.

Continuing the Journey Toward Reconciliation

To learn more and take meaningful action beyond wearing orange, residents are encouraged to visit the Municipality’s Journey to Reconciliation webpage, which includes additional resources, information about local initiatives, and registration for the Walk for Wenjack.

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Media Inquiries:
Lorie Fioze, Manager of Strategic Initiatives
Municipality of Kincardine
lfioze@kincardine.ca
519-396-3468 x7145

Mackenzie Clarke, IDEA Coordinator
Municipality of Kincardine
mclarke@kincardine.ca
519-396-3468 x7165