National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events happening in the Maritimes

A child places an orange heart they decorated during an arts and history activity marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax on Sept. 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Wednesday is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Canada.

The day was first marked in Williams Lake, B.C., on Sept. 30, 2013, and became a federal statutory holiday 2021.

The day is meant to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and to honour survivors and those who never came home.

Here is a list of more than a dozen events being held in the Maritimes:

Nova Scotia

• Descendants Gathering hosted by We’koqma’q First Nation at Ben’s Place beginning at 9:30 a.m.
• National Day for Truth & Reconciliation event hosted by Sipekne’katik First Nation beginning at 10 a.m.
• Flag-raising event in front of Halifax City Hall at 12 p.m.
• National Day for Truth & Reconciliation event hosted by Kespu’kwitk Métis Council at the Yarmouth County Museum & Archives on Collins Street beginning at 1 p.m.
• National Day for Truth & Reconciliation event hosted by Eskasoni First Nation at the Eskasoni Healing Garden beginning at 1 p.m.
• Orange Shirt Day activities hosted by Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation beginning at 4 p.m.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event at Market Square in Pictou beginning at 5 p.m.
• “Sugarcane” screening hosted by Osprey Arts Centre in Shelburne at 7 p.m.

Prince Edward Island

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Official Ceremony hosted by L’nuey. Begins at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Shaw Building on Rochford Street in Charlottetown.

New Brunswick

• Sunrise Ceremony at Officers’ Square in Fredericton hosted by the Wolastoq Grand Council at 7 a.m.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event at Queen Elizabeth Park in Miramichi at 11 a.m.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony hosted at Moncton City Hall Plaza beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Psi-te Npomawsuwinuwok (All My People) Wabanaki Gathering hosted by Under One Sky at Officers’ Square in Fredericton beginning at 12 p.m.
• Solemn Walk at Indian Point in Saint Andrews beginning at 12 p.m.
• Healing Walk at Rockwood Park in Saint John beginning at 1 p.m.
• Truth & Reconciliation Day Gathering hosted by BGC Moncton at 2 p.m.