Statement from the Office of the Mayor: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 29, 2026

Statement from the Office of the Mayor: 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 29, 2026

Tomorrow, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour residential school survivors, their families, and the children who never came home. We also recognize the lasting impacts of the residential school system and the responsibility we all share to face this history honestly and contribute to the work of reconciliation.

Reconciliation extends far beyond September 30. It calls on us to listen, learn, deepen our understanding, and turn that understanding into action. The Municipality of Mississippi Mills remains committed to this work and to continuing it throughout the year.

In January, Council held our seventh annual Land Acknowledgement Ceremony, led by Indigenous leaders, providing an important opportunity learn together and continue deepening the relationships that are essential to reconciliation.

Our community marked National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day in June, bringing people together for storytelling, food, art, and music. We are grateful for the leadership of Ginawaydaganuc Village and Mississippi Mills All My Relations who continue to create opportunities for learning, relationship building, and greater understanding.

We are also continuing to deepen relationships through a traditional birchbark canoe project with Algonquin Knowledge Carrier and master canoe builder Chuck Commanda of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. The project will provide an opportunity for our community to learn through the process of building the canoe together and to better understand the cultural significance and history of the birchbark canoe.

Tomorrow evening, the youth of Mississippi Mills invite everyone to join them for our community’s annual Truth and Reconciliation Vigil at Riverfront Park in Almonte. A quiet, reflective walk will begin at 6:40 p.m., followed by the youth-led program at 7 p.m., with guest speakers, readings, and special guest sharings by singer songwriter Marcia Chum Gibbons, who is of Cree heritage from Constance Lake First Nation, and musician and knowledge keeper David Finkle from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

Learning and conversations continue October 2 to 4 with Reconciliation Through Art, featuring a Traditional Métis Kitchen Party, Indigenous art, ceremony, storytelling, teachings, workshops, music, and more. Learn more at www.reconciliationthroughart.ca

Reconciliation is a path we walk together. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I encourage each of us to consider what reconciliation asks of us, not only tomorrow, but in the choices we make, the relationships we build, and the actions we take throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Mayor Christa Lowry
Municipality of Mississippi Mills