Canada Day – Barrie: Activities focus on education, reconciliation, and reflection on our shared history
from the City of Barrie
In continued efforts towards reconciliation, and in solidarity and consultation with local members of the Indigenous community, the City’s 2021 Canada Day activities are being themed around our shared history and will focus on education, reconciliation and reflection.
The city encourages residents to use Canada Day as an opportunity to learn about the histories and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of this region. As part of its recognition for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, the city prepared virtual programming that celebrated the heritage, diverse cultures and significant contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and collected community partner resources for continued learning. Resources related to National Indigenous Peoples Day can be accessed at barrie.ca/NIPD.
The city will also recognize Canada Day through the following opportunities:
Community message from Elder Jeff Monague and Mayor Jeff Lehman with a moment of silence at 10:30 a.m.
Sacred Fire – July 1, Sunrise to 5pm
In partnership with Red Quills, there will be a sacred fire at the Spirit Catcher in honour of all who have been impacted by residential schools. All are welcome—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—to offer a prayer and heal together as a community. Anyone visiting the sacred fire will be required to wear a mask, maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from others, and follow all other safety requirements.

The lights at Meridian Place and the Five Points Theatre will remain orange on July 1 in support of residential school survivors, their families and Indigenous communities across Canada.
More details and links to resources for continued learning are available at barrie.ca/CanadaDay.