Official Unveiling: Event Guide to September 30th

Official Unveiling

Join Us for the Official Unveiling of the Former Mohawk Institute Residential School.

Mark your calendars! On September 30, 2025, the Woodland Cultural Centre will officially unveil the former Mohawk Institute Residential School as an Interpretive Historic Site on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Here’s an overview of the schedule: To manage capacity and provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we will be using timed entry for this event. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis, as there is no pre-registration for the event. For your convenience, a limited number of bracelets allowing early access can be picked up at our gift shop on September 25th and 26th (while supplies last).

Gates will open at 9:00 AM to begin bracelet distribution for time slot admissions!

– All Day: Gift shop and galleries open! Behind the Bricks book launch, last day of Indigenous Art 2025, and informational tables in the museum building. Food will be available for purchase all day.
– 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Opening, speeches, and Thanksgiving address.
– 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Orange Shirt Mural art activity tent.

Time Slot 1 – 10:45am – 1:15pm
– 10:45 – 1:15pm: Self Guided Tours through the former Mohawk Institute Residential School
– 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Silent No More Film Screening with Survivor Q&A.
– 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Social Dance #1.

Time Slot 2 – 1:30pm – 4:15pm
– 1:30pm – 4:15pm: Self Guided Tours through the former Mohawk Institute Residential School
– 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Silent No More Film Screening with Survivor Q&A.
– 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Social Dance #2.

Time Slot 3 – 4:30pm – 6:00pm
– 4:30pm – 6:00pm: Self Guided Tours through the former Mohawk Institute Residential School
– 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Silent No More Film Screening with Survivor Q&A.

Please note, that there will be building closures for inspection, and staff turnovers at 1:30PM-1:45PM and 4:30PM-4:45PM

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RSVP on our facebook event page

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Media Release

The Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) is honoured to announce the official reopening of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School as an Interpretive Historic Site and Educational Resource. The opening will take place on September 30, 2025, Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, marking a significant step toward truth-telling, education, remembrance, and reconciliation.

Read the full Media Release Here

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Event FAQ

Have questions about attending our event on September 30th? Explore the FAQs below, and if you still have further questions, please email frontdesk@woodlandculturalcentre.ca.

How do I attend the event?

There is no pre-registration for the event. To manage capacity and provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we will be using timed entry for this event. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

A limited number of bracelets will be available for pick up at our gift shop on September 25th and 26th (while supplies last).

Gates will open at 9:00 AM on September 30th to begin bracelet distribution for time slot admissions.

We are anticipating a large attendance to the event. Please be patient with staff and except to wait in line for admission to the grounds and throughout the event stations. We encourage visitors to consider visiting after September 30th for a more in-depth and personal experience.

Will guided tours be available?

No, guided tours will not be available on this day. Instead, entry into the former Mohawk Institute will be via a self-guided route, carefully mapped out to ensure a smooth flow of visitors and allow more people to experience the building.

If you prefer to explore at your own pace, we encourage you to visit after September 30th for a more unhurried and personal experience.

Is the event free?

There is no admission fee for the event; however, we encourage donations to support the Woodland Cultural Centre.

Your contributions help sustain our programs and events, enabling us to continue offering meaningful and exceptional experiences to our community and visitors. We sincerely appreciate your support, especially after nearly a decade of ongoing construction and growth.

How do I bring a group of people to the event?

There is no pre-registration required for the event! We understand many groups—such as co-workers, students, and others—may be eager to visit on September 30th. However, we cannot guarantee entry for all visitors on that day, nor can we ensure that entire groups will be scheduled for the same timeslot.

We encourage groups to consider planning their visit after September 30th, so everyone can enjoy a more personalized and unhurried experience together.

Where do I park?

Parking will be available on Woodland Cultural Centre grounds. Overflow parking will be at Mohawk Chapel with a shuttle available all day between the two sites.

Will food be available?

Yes, there will be food available for purchase all day (while supplies last).

Can I take photos or videos at the event?

Photos and videos are only allowed for personal use. No professional cameras allowed at the event. Photos and videos cannot be taken for business or sale purposes. If you are taking photos or videos for non-personal use, you are required to gain permission from Woodland Cultural Centre and fill out proper paperwork. If you have further questions, please email marketing@woodlandculturalcentre.ca.

If you are a member of the press or media, please contact us beforehand so we can be prepared with a media badge for you. Please email us at marketing@woodlandculturalcentre.ca.

What will be available to do?

– All Day: Gift shop and galleries open! Behind the Bricks book launch, last day of Indigenous Art 2025, and informational tables in the museum building. Food will be available for purchase all day.
– 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Opening, speeches, and Thanksgiving address.
– 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Orange Shirt Mural art activity tent.

Time Slot 1 – 10:45am – 1:15pm
– 10:45 – 1:15pm: Self Guided Tours through the former Mohawk Institute Residential School
– 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Silent No More Film Screening with Survivor Q&A.
– 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Social Dance #1.

Time Slot 2 – 1:30pm – 4:15pm
– 1:30pm – 4:15pm: Self Guided Tours through the former Mohawk Institute Residential School
– 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Silent No More Film Screening with Survivor Q&A.
– 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Social Dance #2.

Time Slot 3 – 4:30pm – 6:00pm
– 4:30pm – 6:00pm: Self Guided Tours through the former Mohawk Institute Residential School
– 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Silent No More Film Screening with Survivor Q&A.

When can I visit after the event?

The former Mohawk Institute will remain open to the public following our regular business hours of Tuesday – Sunday 10am-4pm. Drop in visitors will have a choice of self-guided or audio tours.

Please note that the Woodland Cultural Centre will be closed on October 1st and 2nd to allow our staff a well-deserved break. We will resume our regular hours on Friday, October 3rd.

Is there an age limit?

Our programming centered around the former residential school and the history of the building has a content warning and recommended for grade 6+. Youth’s attendance to the event is at the discretion of the parent/guardian of the youth.

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Official Unveiling

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