Town Office Closed to Recognize National Truth and Reconciliation Day

On Monday, October 2nd, 2023, the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s Town Office and facilities (including park washrooms) will be closed in recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

To mark this important day, an orange flag has been raised at the Town Office and throughout this year, Town staff has received Indigenous Cultural and Diversity training from First Light.

About National Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 30th is a day to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all residents to wear orange, take time to reflect, and to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. We also encourage everyone to avail of the many educational resources available via local Indigenous organization, First Light NL.