Walpole Island Employment & Training, in partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, is hosting a walk and ceremony in Wallaceburg on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools and the survivors of the system.
The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Wallaceburg Library, with participants walking to Civic Square Park for an 11 a.m. ceremony. The event wraps up at noon. Organizers say all are welcome, and those who have one are encouraged to wear an orange shirt. Participants may bring a lawn chair to the ceremony location.
“Walking side by side, we take steps toward a future built on respect, justice, and healing,” organizers said.
The event is one of several taking place across Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement honouring survivors of Canada’s residential school system and remembering the children who never returned home. “For more than a century, over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were separated from their parents, families, and communities and sent to residential schools,” Carney said, adding the federal government established and sustained the system and that “Canada bears responsibility for the profound and enduring harm it caused.”
Carney said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action remain a roadmap for the work ahead, and that the government continues working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to close gaps in health care and education, protect Indigenous languages and cultures, and advance safe drinking water and infrastructure in First Nations communities.
Premier Doug Ford and Greg Rickford, minister of Indigenous affairs and First Nations economic reconciliation, also issued a statement, noting Canada’s last residential school closed just 30 years ago. “While some might think of residential schools as distant history, Canada’s last Indian Residential School only closed 30 years ago,” the statement said. The province said government buildings are being lit orange across Ontario to remember the children and honour survivors.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service said in a statement that it honours survivors, their families and communities, and acknowledges “the lasting and intergenerational impacts of the residential school system on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.” The service encouraged residents to take time to learn, reflect and remember.
The Lambton Kent District School Board said the day originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school, a story that sparked the “Every Child Matters” movement. The board said students and staff are encouraged to wear orange and that schools are taking part in learning activities and acts of commemoration throughout the day.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board said it has observed Orange Shirt Day for the past 10 years, with schools engaging in week-long learning from Sept. 21 to Oct. 2. This year the board is welcoming Indigenous guests including Cedric, Sandra and Leighann Isaac of Bkejwanong Territory; Jason Simon of Aamjiwnaang First Nation; Biindigegizhig of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Steve Tooshkenig of Bkejwanong Territory; and Derek and Bill Sands of Bkejwanong Territory. Students and staff will also have opportunities to take part in the Walpole Island Residential School Monument unveiling, a screening of the film “Meadowlarks” at the Chatham Capitol Theatre, the Wallaceburg Healing Walk, the Sarnia-Lambton Native Friendship Centre Orange Shirt Day Walk, and a painting session with Moses Lunham of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
The Ministry of Education has directed school boards to avoid scheduling tests, assessments, athletic games or cultural activities such as plays or concerts on Sept. 30, unless directly related to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line offers 24-hour support to survivors and their families at 1-866-925-4419. The Hope for Wellness Helpline provides immediate, toll-free telephone and online chat-based emotional support and crisis intervention to Indigenous people across Canada at 1-855-242-3310 or through hopeforwellness.ca.
