Communities across Campbell River and the Comox Valley will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday.

The day honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis residential-school Survivors, the children who never returned home, and the families and communities that continue to live with the effects of the residential-school system.

Nearly 1,500 people are expected to participate in the Comox Valley Spirit Walk, which begins at Lewis Park at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The large turnout will result in several road closures in downtown Courtenay.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the Fifth Street Bridge will close to vehicle traffic, along with sections of Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Duncan Avenue.

From 10 until 11:30 a.m., closures will also affect portions of England and Duncan avenues as participants make their way along the Spirit Walk route.

Streets will reopen progressively after the walkers have passed. The Fifth Street Bridge and any remaining closures are expected to reopen at approximately noon, once participants have returned to Lewis Park.

Drivers travelling through downtown Courtenay Wednesday morning are encouraged to allow additional time or choose an alternate route.

A number of local government facilities will also be closed in observance of the day. Closures include administrative offices and recreation facilities operated by the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay, Village of Cumberland and Comox Valley RD, along with the Comox Valley and Campbell River waste-management centres.

In Campbell River, residents are encouraged to watch for activities organized by the Laichwiltach Family Life Society and other community organizations.

Strathcona Gardens will operate on a limited schedule, offering an Everyone Welcome Skate and Pond Hockey from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. The arena will remain open for previously booked groups, but all other regular programming and classes will be cancelled.

The Strathcona Gardens pool will remain closed as preparations continue for the opening of the new aquatic centre.

Residents are encouraged to wear orange, attend local events and use the day as an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect on reconciliation and the lasting intergenerational impacts of residential schools.

Additional educational materials, Survivor stories and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action are available through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.