Make art, hear stories and watch a documentary about First Nations, Inuit and Métis in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
There are several activities and events happening in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody to pay tribute on or before the statutory holiday Monday, Sept. 30.
Starting today, Sept. 24, orange flags will fly at Port Moody City Hall while, from Sept. 27 to 30, the City of Coquitlam will fly the Survivors’ flag at city hall (3000 Guildford Way), a symbol of remembrance created by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with survivors from across Canada.
In Port Coquitlam, besides the orange flag, the city will light up municipal hall on Shaughnessy Street in orange, as well as Port Moody.
And, on Sept. 30, the lights under the SkyTrain guideway along Guildford Way and Clarke Road in Coquitlam will glow orange in recognition of the special day.
Thursday, Sept. 26
- Tuck into tea and bannock with the Dogwood Pavilion Seniors Society, which is hosting its free Reconciliation event at the 50-plus centre (1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam) from 11 to 11:30 a.m. To register, you can visit the city’s recreation website.
Friday, Sept. 27
- Artist Jordanna George will lead an illustration workshop that’s inspired by "Hummingbird Takes Flight" by q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation artist sɬə́məxʷ, Rain Pierre. Participants can make an artwork that responds to Reconciliation. The comic session is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Register via the facility’s website.
Saturday, Sept. 28
- Join Todd Giihlgiigaa Devries, a Coast Salish master cedar weaver and Haida Elder, to learn how to create craft cedar rope friendship bracelets. There are two free workshops taking place at the Town Centre Park Community Centre (1207 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam): at 2 and 3 p.m. You can call 604-927-4386 to register.
- Hear Haida and Squamish stories told by Indigenous storyteller Kung Jaadee from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Michael Wright Art Gallery (the Gathering Place at Leigh Square, next to PoCo City Hall). A member of the X̱aayda (Haida), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Tlingit and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, who is also part Hawaiian, the Elder Jaadee will talk about universal teachings. All ages are welcome. You can register by emailing [email protected].
Monday, Sept. 30
- Head over to the Noons Creek Hatchery, north of the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd.), to hear from Stephen Armstrong, Xem-Tu-Mus, of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. The event starts at 11 a.m. and includes a Feathers for Children art project.
- Families with kids ages five and up take enjoy a story time reading at 11:30 a.m. and, at noon, watch the steamed program Remembering the Children from Parliament Hill, at the Glen Pine Pavilion (1200 Glen Pine Crt.). At 1 p.m., the centre will show the documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) to adults and, at 2 p.m., there will be another storytime reading — this time, for ages 16 and up. The programs are free.
- Sign up for one of three afternoon workshops hosted at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) by Christine Mackenzie. The Kwakiutl Nation artist and facilitator, whose mother was part of the Sixties Scoop, will talk about her experience as an Indigenous woman and guide participants in creating a small, mixed media art piece. To register for a spot, you can visit the facility’s website.
- Slip on your skates for an Orange Shirt Day toonie skate at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The public skates are at 1:15 p.m. and at 2:45 p.m. Skates and helmet rentals are included in the $2 price.
Meanwhile, TransLink will have holiday fares in effect, meaning customers will only need a one-zone fare to travel across all zones via bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus. West Cost Express will not run.
Also on Orange Shirt Day, TransLink will unveil a new artwork by Shonta Campbell (Kishiqweb) that’s wrapped on two SkyTrain cars along the Expo Line.
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone who may need counselling or support. You can call 1-800-721-0066 or the 24-hour crisis line 1-866-925-4419.
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