National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the federal statutory holiday introduced in 2021, is observed on Sept. 30, and Calgary has several memorial events planned.
The holiday is a chance to raise awareness of and honour Indigenous children who never returned home, and survivors of residential schools and the lasting impacts of colonization.
While the day has been a statutory holiday for only four years, Orange Shirt day — an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day — has been honoured since 2013.
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story of how her new orange t-shirt was taken away on her first day of school at the St. Joseph Mission residential school in 1973.
Those using transit on Monday may need to adjust their plans, as buses, CTrains and On Demand will be operating on Saturday levels of service.
While Sept. 30 is not a statutory holiday in Alberta, some employers may voluntarily observe the day.
All federally regulated employees, such as postal workers or those who work for a bank or the federal government, will observe the day as a statutory holiday.
Women’s Centre of Calgary workshop
Where: Women’s Centre of Calgary, 39 4th St. N.E.
When: Friday: 10 a.m.
Kingsland Haysboro Indigenous Friendship Day
Indigenous Friendship Day at St. Andrew’s Church will begin with an opening ceremony and a Teepee raising. Following that, visitors will be treated to a traditional feast, ritual and stories, vendors, games, crafts, dances and drumming. The overall experience will be fun and educational.
Where: St. Andrew’s Church, 703 Heritage Dr. S.W.
When: Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Film screening at Central Library
Calgary Central Library will be showing a free screening of Bones of Crows, directed by Marie Clements. The film is described as a multigenerational epic and story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree matriarch Aline Spears. Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, young musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival.
Where: Central Library, 800 3rd St S.E.
When: Sunday: 6:30 to 9 p.m.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Arts Commons
Where: Arts Commons, 205 8th Ave S.E.
When: Monday: 12 p.m.
Michelle Good presentation
The presentation, titled Getting Under the Myth of Canadian History will be hosted by Dr. Michael Hart, vice-provost of Indigenous engagement at the University of Calgary. Michelle Good is a Cree writer and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. After working for Indigenous organizations for twenty-five years, she obtained a law degree and advocated for residential school survivors for over fourteen years. Her poems, short stories, and essays have been published in magazines and anthologies across Canada
Where: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary
When: Monday: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence
To honour National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, The Confluence will be offering two walking tours, a Blackfoot art exhibit, film screenings and a reconciliation letter writing activity. There will also be presentations from various speakers, including the Mayor, Indigenous Elders and school board representatives. Visitors are encouraged to wear orange.
Where: The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, 750 9 Ave S.E.
When: Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Speak Up! At Studio Bell
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Studio Bell will be open with free admission from 10 to 5 pm on September 30. Explore the Speak Up! exhibition and listen to powerful remarks by Elder Eldon Weasel Child. The Speak Up! exhibition showcases Indigenous artists who have made a social impact on music in Canada, while motivating a new generation to take action and offering a better understanding of where they come from.
Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.