Wednesday is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and Ottawans are marking the day in a number of ways.

Since 2021, the day has aimed to recognize the damage caused by the residential school system, honour survivors and help families and communities affected by the lasting trauma.

Guided tours

Indigenous Walks, a free guided tour that showcases the history of Indigenous people in Ottawa, is holding its final public tour of the year.

Indigenous Walks founder Jaime Morse said for her, education is a key to reconciliation.

“I started the tours because I wanted to see the world around me from an Indigenous perspective and I did a lot of walking with my three kids,” she said. “We did a lot of walking around and I would point out things that would be from my Indigenous perspective that I could tell them a story about.”

The tour leaves Ottawa city hall at noon Wednesday and winds through the heart of the city. It has a few variations, determined by what participants want to experience.

Morse said it’s always interesting to see how people choose to mark the day, adding that she will be thinking of her father who attended a residential school.

“Whether that’s through lighting up a statue or a lantern or wearing an orange shirt, all of those things matter to me. They matter when I see them,” Morse said. “It’ll be a fairly emotional day.”

Rideau Hall is hosting reconciliation-themed tours at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. in English and at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in French.

Spots are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parliament Hill

The Peace Tower and the Senate Building will be illuminated in orange throughout the evening of Sept. 30.

A national commemorative gathering called Remembering the Children will be broadcast live from Parliament Hill starting at noon. The 90-minute commemorative event will highlight survivors as well as Indigenous artists.

Local museums

The agriculture, aviation, history, nature, science and war museums are open and offering free admission. So is the National Gallery of Canada, which opens at noon.

The agriculture and history museums are hosting community events.

Ottawa Public Library

Seven Ottawa Public Library (OPL) branches are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a number of activities and conversations. Those branches are Beaverbrook, Cumberland, Greenboro, Main, Nepean Centrepointe, Ruth E. Dickinson and St-Laurent.

All other OPL branches are closed Wednesday.

Recognition throughout the year

In the lead-up to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation the Ottawa Public Library has also been hosting interactive learning events, using blankets to raise awareness of colonial history and dispossession experienced by Indigenous peoples.

Registration is open for the final session at the Cumberland Branch in Orléans on Monday.

John Henri Commanda, a traditional knowledge keeper, facilitates the sessions and has dedicated his life to sharing and preserving traditional knowledge and empowering Indigenous employees within the federal public service.

“We have to do this together, side by side. That’s the whole intent of our reconciliation path,” he said.

“Don’t ask Indigenous people what you can do to become a better ally. Ask yourself: What am I going to do?”

A national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services for survivors and those affected.

Mental health counselling and crisis support are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat.