National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Symposium 2025

(September 26, 2025) - On September 30, 2025, Laurentian University will hold a symposium in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The event honours the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. This year's symposium will feature a keynote address from distinguished lawyer and advocate, Kimberly Murray.

"The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a vital teaching moment for us all," said Mary Laur, Director of the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre at Laurentian University. "Our symposium invites the community to take part in this national observance, uplifting Indigenous voices and deepening our shared commitment to truth, education, and reconciliation."

The day's events will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a Sacred Fire hosted by Jason Nakogee, Truth and Reconciliation Coordinator. The opening ceremony, emceed by Laur, will include an opening prayer from Language Revitalization Coordinator and Anishinaabe Elder, Lorney Bob. Opening (and later, closing) drum songs will be offered by Paskwa Lightning, Indigenous Student and Community Engagement Coordinator. 

Following the opening, attendees will hear a presentation by Natalie Lacasse, Manager of Indigenous Strategic Community Engagement. This presentation will outline the Taskforce’s Recommendations Report, building on recommendations for Truth and Reconciliation shared at June’s National Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration. 

The symposium’s highlight will be the keynote address by Kimberly Murray, a member of the Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk Nation who is also Queen’s University’s National Scholar in Indigenous Legal Studies. From 2010 to 2015, Murray was the Executive Director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Following this appointment, she was the Province of Ontario’s first Assistant Deputy Attorney General for Indigenous Justice (2015-2022), where she worked to support communities revitalize their Indigenous laws, and expanded legal services and programs for Indigenous peoples. Her address will draw on her extensive legal and advocacy career dedicated to advancing Reconciliation.

In the afternoon, the Maamwizwing Indigenous Research Institute will officially open its new space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing a new beginning and honoring the shared commitment to community and relationship-building. 

All members of the Laurentian community are encouraged to attend this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation symposium, as we collectively continue our commitment to truth and reconciliation.