Oshawa raising Survivors’ Flag Wednesday in preparation of Orange Shirt Day Sept. 30

The City of Oshawa will be raising the Survivors’ Flag at City Hall Wednesday afternoon to prepare for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30.

Bawaajigewan Aboriginal Community Circle and the City are also inviting the community to tie a ribbon at five Orange Ribbon memorials between Wednesday and October 7 to commemorate the children stolen, murdered and mistreated through Indian Residential Schools and to remember Gchi-Piitendaagziwag Kina Binoojiiyag: Every Child Matters.

Orange Ribbon memorials will be located at:

• Civic Recreation Complex
• Columbus Community Centre
• Delpark Home Centre
• Lakeview Park (near the playground and splash pad)
• Oshawa City Hall

The flag ceremony will be held from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. with Anishinaabe Elder Dorothy Taylor performing a traditional opening and DNA (Designated Native Awareness) to bring the Big Drum to pay tribute and support healing to Indigenous communities that still face many negative impacts caused through colonization and the Indian Residential School Era.

The Orange Shirt memorial at Oshawa’s Lakeview Park