City to honour special day

• First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Sail sculpture will have orange lighting to represent hopefulness
• City flags will be half-masted to express condolence to survivors

The City of Kelowna will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Thursday, with ceremonial acknowledgements of the new relationship emerging between Canada and Indigenous Peoples.

City flags will be at half-mast on Sept. 30 to express condolence to survivors of the residential school system and to commemorate the thousands of Indigenous children who died in that system.

The Government of Canada said the day honours survivors of residential schools as well as their families and communities.

“This might be a day of quiet, personal reflection, or it could be a day experienced through participation in a community event such as those being presented by the Kelowna Museum,” Mayor Colin Basran said in a video.

“The City of Kelowna is working on a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples. One based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.”

According to the city, the lighting of the Sails sculpture will be orange, representing hopefulness for a new respectful relationship.

The city said Okanagan/Syilx leaders are advising the City of Kelowna on a renewed relationship with local First Nations. They hope to build a relationship based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events

Westbank First Nation is hosting a Drum Circle at 2:15pm at the Elders Hall - 3255 Shannon Lake Road.

Okanagan Heritage Museum is hosting Family Orange Shirt Day from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is hosting a Drum Circle Ceremony on Wednesday Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.