September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and a time for all residents of the Comox Valley to reflect on the history and traumatic legacy of residential schools in Canada, including the seven schools that were located among our communities on Vancouver Island.
Public commemoration of the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. To support the community in acknowledging this day together, the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay, Village of Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) will be closing the following facilities on September 30th in observance.
- City of Courtenay City Hall
- Courtenay Fire Hall
- Courtenay Public Works
- Courtenay Recreation Lewis Centre
- Comox Town Hall
- Comox Community Centre
- Comox Municipal Works Yard
- Comox Valley Regional District Office
- Comox Valley Sports Centre
- Comox Valley Aquatic Centre
- LINC Youth Centre
- Florence Filberg Centre
- Cumberland Village Offices
- Cumberland Recreation Centre
- Comox Valley Waste Management Centre
- Campbell River Waste Management Centre
Local governments are encouraging the community to wear orange and participate in the Comox Valley Spirit Walk on September 30th at 10am. The walk starts at Harmston Park and travels down Fifth Street to Lewis Park. Everyone is welcome.
Local government employees will continue to participate in educational opportunities throughout the year that acknowledge and raise awareness about the impacts of colonialism. Healing work also continues through the Comox Valley Reconciliation Advisory Table, a group made up of participants from local governments, the K’ómoks First Nation, and community Indigenous groups. More information about the Advisory Table can be found at: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/ReconciliationAdvisoryTable
More ways to learn:
- Understand the origins of Orange Shirt Day
- Discover and share the origin stories, history and languages of the K’ómoks First Nation
- Access learning resources at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District respectfully acknowledge the land on which they operate is on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
Media Contacts:
City of Courtenay
Geoff Garbutt, Chief Administrative Officer
Tel: 250-703-4854
Email Geoff
Comox Valley Regional District
James Warren, Chief Administrative Officer
Tel: 250-334-6008
Email James
Town of Comox
Jordan Wall, Chief Administrative Officer
Tel: 250-339-2202
Email Jordan
Village of Cumberland
Michelle Mason, Chief Administrative Officer
Tel: 250-336-2291
Email Michelle
