National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2023

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Resources

There is support available to anyone who has been directly or indirectly impacted by residential schools. 

In-person Events- Please check back for 2024 events

Orange Shirt Day 2023
Fort Calgary [750 9 Ave SE] | September 30, 9am
This National Truth and Reconciliation Day (Orange Shirt Day), join a free walking tour where we will confront the colonial history of Fort Calgary, discuss our ongoing work to decolonize the stories we tell, and share insights about what we have learned about reconciliation so far.

Four Winds Indigenous Market & Showcase 
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Lobby [225 8 Ave SE] | September 30, 12pm
This market will celebrate Indigenous art and culture and feature the creations of Indigenous artists and artisans from Treaty 7 and beyond.  

The Elders Story Project 
Jack Singer Concert Hall [225 8 Ave SE] | September 30, 7pm
The Indigenous Elders will demonstrate the strength and power of their traditional practices as they share their personal experiences living in residential schools – an essential part of their journey toward healing. 

Witness Blanket
Calgary Public Library- Central Library | Ongoing until mid October
Calgary Public Library is hosting The Witness Blanket, a large-scale art installation created by master carver Carey Newman or Hayalthkin’geme (Ha-yalth-kingeme).   The art piece is located on Level 4 of Central Library in the Simmons-Harvie Community Living Room, at the north end of the building. The piece is on loan from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  The Witness Blanket will be on display at Central Library until mid-October. To learn more about The Witness Blanket and the stories of the objects included in the piece, visit witnessblanket.ca.  

Reconnection, Reconciliation and Resilience 2023 
Grace Presbyterian Church [1009 15 Avenue SW] | September 30, 1-4pm
Presented by the Stardale Women’s Group, this event will discuss the effects of residential schools and their legacy. There will also be a ceremony with Elder's presence and teachings, a drumming performance from Stardale Girls Drumming Group, and a screening of an original film created by Stardale’s Women’s Group.  

National Film Board: Indigenous Film Screenings 
Engineered Air Theatre [234 9 Ave SE] | September 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn about Indigenous history, culture, and traditions through film at Arts Commons’ film screening in partnership with the National Film Board.  

Virtual Events

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Lunch and Learn Sessions
This year, the NCTR will offer a series of FREE virtual lunch and learn sessions throughout Truth and Reconciliation Week 2023 to facilitate learning for Canadians on topics related to Truth and Reconciliation. These daily lunch sessions (50min) will feature a range of speakers and will provide audience members with the opportunity to ask questions and engage in further conversations.

Day 1- Mon., Sep 25: Indigenous peoples and the History of Residential Schools

Day 2- Tue., Sep 26: Unconscious bias and debunking stereotypes

Day 3- Wed., Sep 27: Intergenerational impacts and ongoing systemic discrimination

Day 4-Thur., Sep 28: Indigenous peoples’ rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Day 5- Fri., Sep 29: Taking action toward Reconciliation.

Register here.

Orange Shirt Day

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

If you are looking to purchase an orange shirt, you’ll want to ensure that the retailer you chose is sending all profits to the Orange Shirt Society or another Indigenous organization. Unfortunately, some retailers are taking advantage of the opportunity to sell orange shirts and are doing so at their own profit. Moonstone Creations is a great local, Indigenous owned business and they have shirts in stock!