Portage College is committed to reconciliation and has chosen to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, September 30. To give students, staff and faculty the opportunity to learn more about the history and ongoing consequences of residential schools, classes have been cancelled and employees will receive the day off work.

On June 3, 2021, the federal government designated September 30 as a public holiday under the Canada Labour Code. Although not required by law to observe this holiday, Portage announced on September 1 that the College will be committing to observing the day.

“It is important to remember and honour those who never returned home after attending residential school and to the survivors and their families who carry the burden of this painful part of our shared history,” said Nancy Broadbent, President and CEO of Portage College. “We are thankful to have the opportunity to give our students and colleagues this day to participate in activities to honour those affected and reflect on their own commitments to truth and reconciliation.”

Portage College has created a webpage with many resources for learning and will be hosting a virtual Sunrise Ceremony on September 30. The College has also announced its commitment to Project of Hope, a two-part initiative for the 2021-2022 year.

“We encourage people to take part in the many resources provided on the College’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation webpage as well as our personalized events,” said Broadbent.

Sunrise Ceremony

Sept 30, 2021

7:10 A.M. Approximately
Streaming Live on the Portage College Facebook Event.

A recording of the event will be posted at a later date on the Portage College National Day of Truth and Reconciliation webpage.

Project of Hope

Commitment Boxes

Sept 30, 2021 to June 2022

This project was created to assist people on their personal journey to truth and reconciliation.

For the Commitment Boxes project individuals will be invited to write down their commitment to truth and reconciliation which is then sealed in a self-addressed envelope and placed into a Truth and Reconciliation Commitment Box. Each Portage College campus will have a Commitment Box. The College is also partnering with some communities in the College’s service region to have boxes available for the public. Commitments will be collected throughout the year until June 2022. In June the commitments will be mailed back to participants.

Project of Heart

November 2021 to Spring, Summer and Fall 2022

The Project of Heart is a collaborative art project. People will be able to design images to be put on tiles which will then be incorporated into art installations at each campus. The Portage College President’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and a focus group will work to incorporate ideas of how the tiles will be displayed. Portage College will start unveiling the projects in June with more unveiling coming out during summer and into the fall.

We invite everyone to access the College’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation webpage for information on events, activities and resources for personal learning and growth.

Media Inquiries:

Jaime Davies
Portage College, Corporate Communications Manager
780-623-5581
Email