Lanark County to Mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

For immediate release
Sept. 25, 2023

Lanark County will be hosting a flag raising this Friday in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and all are welcome to attend.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is held each year on Sept. 30 to reflect on the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of these institutions. Public commemoration is a way to recognize the painful history and ongoing effects of residential schools as part of the reconciliation process. The county ceremony will take place on Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. at the Lanark County Administration Building, 99 Christie Lake Rd., Perth.

“On Friday we will raise the flag to honour survivors, their families and communities,” said Warden Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands Reeve). “I encourage everyone to consider the Calls to Action and how each of us can play a part in reconciliation. Learning about and commemorating the truth of our history is a simple action we can all take part in to build and strengthen the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”

The 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission resulted from efforts of residential school survivors who advocated for recognition and accountability for the intergenerational harm caused. Call to Action 80 was to create a statutory day of remembrance. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation began in 2021 and builds on Orange Shirt Day, which was an Indigenous-led, grassroots commemorative day to raise awareness and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”

For more information about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliations, along with resources, visit

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For more information/media interviews, contact:

Megan Beson Deputy Clerk

Lanark County

1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1102