September 30 is Orange Shirt Day. Wear an orange shirt to honour the lost children and survivors of Canada’s residential schools.
Hamilton Public Library encourages the community to learn the stories, experiences and legacies of the children, families and communities forever impacted by Canada’s residential school system.
We have assembled a collection of books, movies and more focused on Indigenous voices, authors, storytellers, musicians and artists.
Learn Their Stories. Respect Their Legacies.
Minute of Silence Wednesday, September 30, 2:15pm
HPL will observe a minute of silence at 2:15pm on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The time chosen reflects the discovery of the remains of 215 children in a mass graveyard on a former residential school site in Kamloops, BC, in May 2021.
Events
Celebrate Indigenous history, culture, knowledge and creativity with HPL in September and October.
Join Louis Busch for an HPL Author Series conversation with Dr. Savage Bear about their new book, Carry Your Heart, on Wednesday, September 16, from 6:30-7:30pm at West Harbour Branch.
Meet Karenna’onwe — Dr. Karen Hill as she shares her new book, The Good Mind, at a Meet the Author event on Tuesday, September 29, from 5-6pm at West Harbour Branch.
Learn about Haudenosaunee cosmology with Samantha Doxtator at Indigenous Astronomy: As Told by the Haudenosaunee on Saturday, October 3, from 1-3pm at West Harbour Branch.
Create original art during a 90-minute Cut and Create collage workshop on Thursday, October 8, at Valley Park Branch or Thursday, October 22, at Turner Park Branch. Both workshops run from 5:30-7pm.
Read
We have recommended reads, opens a new window and eReads, opens a new window about the residential school experience. Also, check out HPL’s Staff Picks, opens a new window and Indigenous Reads for Kids and Teens, opens a new window.
Watch
Stream documentaries, educational videos and audio on Summa, opens a new window with your HPL library card.
Listen
Watch encore performances of Noon Hour Concerts by Lacey Hill, opens a new window, Rod Nettagog, opens a new window, an Indigenous Artists and Mohawk College Student Cultural engagement, opens a new window, and an Indigenous Dance and Song with Adrian and Ascension Harjo, opens a new window. Learn more about Indigenous musicians and storytellers through their music and legacies.
Learn
Cherokee is an Iroquoian language, and the only Southern Iroquoian language spoken today. Visit Mango Languages with your HPL Library card to start learning the language and culture.
Learn more about the 94 Calls to Action listed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report.
Land Acknowledgment
The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land, so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.
