Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Scars to Stars: Residential School Presentation with Angus Cockney

Date: September 29
Time: 7 pm
Location: Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

Description: Attend this presentation by long-term Bow Valley resident Angus Cockney, who shares his story as a Residential School Survivor while inspiring others to reflect on the past and to move forward on their own healing journeys.

Prayer Service at RCMP Detachment

Date: September 30
Time: 10 am
Location: RCMP Detachment, 335 Lynx Street

Description: Attend this prayer service offered by Elders from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. The purpose is to recognise the legacy of residential schools, those who attended and their families.

Fireside discussion at the Whyte Museum

Date: October 1
Time: 2 pm
Location: Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

Description: Gather around a fire with local Indigenous community members to share what you did on September 30 as an act of reconciliation. 

Afternoon Panel Discussion

Date: September 30
Time: 12 pm
Location: University of Calgary (Husky Oil Great Hal, inside the Rozsa Centre)

Description: Attend this panel discussion hosted by the University of Calgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement in partnership with the Calgary Public Library. The panel includes Dr. Cora Voyageur, Lee Crowchild, and Kathleen Mahoney, who will all lead a discussion on the Final Report on Truth and Reconciliation in light of the unmarked graves of Indigenous children and the papal visit, and look to the path ahead. To register, visit the  University of Calgary’s website.

People can also register to watch the event online.

Evening Film Screening

Date: September 30
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Calgary Central Library – Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall

Description: Watch a free evening film screening of “Night Raiders,” hosted by Calgary Public Library in partnership with the University of Calgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement. The event includes special remarks from Sarah Meilleur, Calgary Public Library’s CEO and Dr. Michael Hart, University of Calgary’s Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement. To register, visit the University of Calgary’s website.

Orange Shirt Day Commemoration

Date: September 30
Time: 10 am
Event location: Fort Calgary, 750 9 Ave SE

Description: Attend this event to commemorate Indian Residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear orange. The event will also be livestreamed at City of Calgary – Live Video.

Reconciliation and Resilience: An event for hope and a better future

Date: September 30
Time: 2 pm
Event location: Grace Presbyterian Church, 1009 15 Avenue

Description: In partnership with Stardale Women’s Group and Urban Fair, Grace Presbyterian Church is presenting a public discussion of the effects of residential schools and their legacy. The event includes a ceremony and teachings by an Elder, a performance of The Stardale Girls Drumming Group, and a film screening of ‘The Road,’ created by Stardale Women’s Group.

Register online.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events

Date: September 30
Time: Various
Event location: Various

Description: Visit the City of Edmonton’s Truth and Reconciliation Day event listings for more information.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Morning Walk

Date: September 30
Time: 9 to 11 am
Event location: River Lot 11, Indigenous Art Park (10380 Queen Elizabeth Park Road) to the Rossdale Burial Ground (10419-95 Avenue NW)

Description: Hosted by Grant MacEwan University, this walk features Knowledge Keepers, local historians and community members who will share their stories while guiding this walk. They will help attendees reflect on how narratives work to strengthen or erase individuals, communities, and sacred spaces.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Afternoon Walk

Date: September 30
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Event location: MacEwan Treaty 6 Marker outside kihêw waciston, Allard Hall (11110-104 Ave NW) to the Twin Graveyards: Edmonton Municipal (11820-107 Avenue NW) and Saint Joachim (10500-117 Street NW)

Description: Hosted by Grant MacEwan University, this walk features Knowledge Keepers, local historians and community members who will share their stories while guiding this walk. They will help attendees reflect on how narratives work to strengthen or erase individuals, communities, and sacred spaces.

Film Screening and Discussion – The Unforgotten

Date: September 30
Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm
Event location: Kule Theatre, Room 9-323, Robbins Health Learning Centre (10910-104 Avenue, Edmonton)

Description: Hosted by Grant MacEwan University, the public is invited to the Faculty of Nursing’s maskwa iyinikwew wâwkamik/Bear Healing Lodge for a film screening of The Unforgotten, sharing circle and tea and bannock.

Tea and Talk – a Gathering for Reconciliation

Date: September 30
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Event location: Common Room in the Roundhouse (Room 11-190, Allard Hall, 11110-104 Avenue, Edmonton)

Description: Join this special tea time to talk about decolonizing sexuality and gender, and to learn more about the two-spirit community.

Standing Together: Orange Shirt Day Community Walk

Date: September 30
Time: Noon
Event location: Mary Burlie Park (10465-97 Street) to Giovanni Caboto Park (9425-109 A Avenue, Edmonton)

Description: Wear orange to this community walk hosted by YWCA Edmonton.

Orange Shirt Day Run and Walk

Date: September 30
Time: 3 pm
Event location: Kinsmen Park

Description: Register for the 5 km, 10 km, or 10 km run or walk. A 2.15 km run is also available for kids.

Book reading: Nokum is my Teacher and Phyllis’ Orange Shirt

Date: September 30
Time: 11:30 to 12 pm
Event location: Royal Alberta Museum, Roundhouse

Description: Attend this book reading of ‘Nokum is my Teacher,’ a dialogue between a grandmother and her grandson to help him better understand the larger world while respecting Indigenous ways of life. Phyllis Webstad’s book, ‘Phyllis’ Orange Shirt’ will also be read on her true story behind creating Orange Shirt Day.

Royal Alberta Museum Viewing Table

Date: September 30
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Event location: Royal Alberta Museum lobby

Description: Learn about Indigenous stories and objects from RAM’s Learning Collection at their viewing table in the lobby. Visitors will have the chance to ask questions and see objects up close.

Chili and Bannock

Date: September 30
Time: 5:30 pm
Event location: Veterans Memorial Gardens, 10121–93 Street

KAIROS Blanket Exercise

Date: September 27
Time: 6 pm
Event location: Teresa Sargent Hall, 9839–103 Avenue

Description: Participate in this reflective event on the effects of colonialism on Indigenous peoples. remember to bring your own lawn chair. Pre-register at Orange Shirt Day – Grande Prairie.

Movie Screening and Workshop

Date: September 29
Time: 6 pm
Event location: Grande Prairie Public Library

Description: Attend this movie screening and workshop, ‘We Were Children.’ Pre-register at Orange Shirt Day – Grande Prairie.

Orange Shirt Day 5 kilometre Walk or Run

Date: September 30
Time: 4 pm
Event location: Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Pavilion

Description: To register for this event, visit Grande Prairie Friendship Centre.

Pancake Breakfast and Monument Unveiling

Date: September 30
Time: 9:30 am
Event location: Veterans Memorial Gardens, 10121 93 Street

Surepoint Group Barbeque

Date: September 30
Time: 12 pm
Event location: Muskoseepi Park Amphitheatre, 102 Avenue and 102 Street

Description: Join this free barbeque and event to show support for Orange Shirt Day. Keynote speakers include Indian Residential School survivor Lorretta Parenteau-English, Indian Residential Day School survivor Gary Moostoos, and intergenerational trauma survivor, Shauna Livesey.

‘Beans’ film screening and discussion

Date: September 27
Time: 5:30 pm
Event location: University of Lethbridge, BMO Auditorium, SA 8002

Description: Attend this free event screening of the film ‘Beans,’ written and directed by Mohawk filmmaker Tracey Deer. The film chronicles the 78-day standoff between two Mohawk communities and government forces in Quebec in 1990. Following the film will be a discussion hosted by Don McIntyre of the Dhillon School of business.

Find more information at the University of Lethbridge website.

Bi-Giwen: Coming Home – Truth Telling from the Sixties Scoop

Date: September 28
Time: 10 am
Event location: Lethbridge College’s Centre Core, 3000 College Drive S

Description: Attend this new public exhibit that documents the experiences of 12 Sixties Scoop survivors. The Sixties Scoop refers to the removal of Indigenous children from home to be placed in the child intervention system in the 1960s. 

Find more information at the Lethbridge College website.

Face painting and prayer

Date: September 26
Time: 1 pm
Event location: University of Lethbridge’s Carolla Calf Robe (Napiakii) Elders and Ceremony Room

Description: Join Elders Francis First Charger and Cathy Hunt for a prayer and face painting.

Find more information at the University of Lethbridge website.

Orange Shirt Day Storytime

Date: September 27
Time: 4:30 pm
Event location: Lethbridge Public Library Main Branch Kid’s Corner, 255 Britannia Boulevard W, Lethbridge

Description: Enjoy storytime for all ages with special guest Marilyn Contois to honour Orange Shirt Day.

Roots of Growth project launch

Date: September 29
Time: 10 am
Event location: University of Lethbridge, the Grove

Description: Join this student initiative at the University of Lethbridge to recognize those affected by residential schools and gather together to work towards reconciliation and healing.

Find more information at the University of Lethbridge website.

Smudging Ceremony

Date: September 26
Time: 10:30 am
Event location: University of Lethbridge, Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre

Description: Join Elder Francis First Charger for a smudge to mark the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Week at the University of Lethbridge.

Find more information at the University of Lethbridge website.

Talking Circle

Date: September 26
Time: 11 am
Event location: University of Lethbridge, Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre

Description: Join Elder Francis First Charger and Elder Cathy Hunt for a Talking Circle discussion on the meaning of reconciliation. 

Find more information at the University of Lethbridge website.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event

Date: September 30
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Event location: Red Deer Public Library Downtown Branch, 4818 49 Street

Description: Attend film screenings for all ages to help better understand the history of residential schools. The Family Learning Centre will also share stories, and have guided discussion questions and activities sheets for families wanting to learn more. Visitors are encouraged to wear orange.

Orange Ribbon Campaign

Date: September 30
Time: Not applicable
Event location: Throughout Red Deer

Description: Join Red Deer community members in expressing solidarity with the Indigenous community and grief for those affected by residential schools. To do so, residents are encouraged to tie ribbons on plants in a place that is meaningful to them.

Ribbons can be obtained at:

Collicutt Centre: 3031 30 Avenue

Recreation Centre: 4501 47A Avenue

City Hall: 4914 48 Avenue

Intermediate Schools: 5205 48 Avenue

Find more information at the City of Red Deer website. 

Beading Workshop: Orange Shirt Day Pins

Date: September 23, 2022
Time: 1 pm
Event location: Spruce Grove Public Library

Description: Learn the basics of beading and create awareness for residential school survivors.

Truth and Reconciliation: Recognizing History’s Impact on the Present

Date: Date reserved by your organisation
Time: Time reserved by your organisation
Event location: Online

Description: This 1-hour Indigenous led training for organisations extends beyond the history of residential schools by looking at the effects on the survivors and intergenerational trauma they experience. The session will also explore which Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action can apply to individual actions and how to become better allies with Indigenous Peoples.

Find more information and book a session online.

Virtual Storytime – Shi-Shi-Etko and Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola Campbell

Date: September 30
Time: 10:30 to 11 am
Event location: Streamed on the RAM Facebook page via Zoom.

Description: Join this virtual reading of “Shi-Shi-Etko,” the story of a young girl who learns about her culture and the land before leaving home for residential schools. “Shin-chi’s Canoe” will also be read about Shi-Shi-Etko’s brother joining her for the second year of residential school. Books are written for children aged 4 to 8.

Register to join the Zoom presentation.