Saturday September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day honours Survivors of residential schools and remembers children who were victims of this tragic, deliberately harmful system. Learn, listen, and support Indigenous Peoples through these community events.
Orange Shirt Day at Telus World of Science | 9:00am – 2:30pm, TELUS World of Science Edmonton
Hosted by Telus World of Science, this event honouring Indigenous cultures features a morning of Tipi Raising and a lighting of the Qulliq and an afternoon of Indigenous-focused activities, including coding with beadwork and Indigenous story time.
Story Time | 10:30am and 2:00pm, Royal Alberta Museum Children’s Gallery
Children ages 4 to 9 can learn about Indigenous traditions and ingenuity at this story time at Royal Alberta Museum’s Children Gallery. Join in this day of honouring the children who were victims of residential schools by hearing stories about their cultures.
Film Screening: Round Up | 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm, Royal Alberta Museum
Celebrate Indigenous stories and resilience at the Royal Alberta Museum with this screening of Round Up, a short film that follows the story of Pete Stand Alone. Listen and learn as Stand Alone—a spiritual Elder, teacher, and community leader of the Kainai (Blood) of Southern Alberta—works to preserve and rebuild his community which has been ravaged by the legacy of residential schools.
3rd Annual Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk – Every Child Matters | 12:00pm – 6:00pm, Kinsmen Park
Run/walk to raise awareness about residential schools with this event, which will raise funds for OrangeShirtDay.org, Bear Clan Patrol YEG, and Indigenous Youth Sports Scholarships. Registration is open until September 28. Head down to Kinsmen park this weekend to show your support.
Root for Trees – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – Plant Giveaway | 12:00pm – 5:00pm, Kinsmen Park
This Saturday, Root for Trees, Edmonton’s volunteer tree planting initiative, has partnered up with Edmonton’s Indigenous Relations Office, and the community-led Orange Shirt Day Walk/Run to give away 1500 native species of several plants to honour the intergenerational Survivors of residential schools.
Otehiwin // Open Heart: Art Exhibition | till October 1 (library hours)
Presented by the Aboriginal Arts Council of Alberta, this exhibit features 13 dioramas with handmade dolls to explore the history and impact of the residential “school” system. Come for a greater understanding of the loss, resilience, and reclamation of Indigenou Identities.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to source their orange shirts from a variety of local Indigenous creators and organizations. Samson Native Gallery, First Peoples’ House, and Beadwork & Bannock at TIX on the Square all have orange shirts available for purchase. You can also check out our list of Indigenous-owned businesses in Edmonton for more opportunities to support Indigenous makers.
Additional resources: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, City of Edmonton’s Truth Telling & Teaching video series, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.
