Today, the Municipality of North Middlesex joins communities across Canada in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

September 30 is a day to honour the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities. It is also a time to listen, learn, reflect, and recognize the lasting impacts of the residential school system.

As part of our continued journey toward reconciliation, the Municipality of North Middlesex is proud to share our first land acknowledgement video. This acknowledgement recognizes the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for these lands since time immemorial and serves as an important reminder of our responsibility to continue learning and building relationships rooted in respect and understanding.

Our efforts also reflect the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #57, which calls upon all levels of government, including municipalities, to provide education to public servants on the history of Indigenous Peoples. This includes learning about the history and legacy of residential schools, Treaties and Indigenous rights, Indigenous law, Indigenous–Crown relations, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

A land acknowledgement is one part of a much larger commitment. Reconciliation requires continued education, meaningful reflection, relationship-building, and action. We encourage members of our community to take time today and throughout the year to learn, listen to Indigenous voices and experiences, and consider the role we can each play in advancing reconciliation.

Every Child Matters.