On September 30, Canada will recognize its first formal National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The new statutory holiday has been described by the federal government as an opportunity to "recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools" in Canada. It is also an opportunity to honour all of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit survivors of residential schools, as well as their communities. The holiday follows a call to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, back in 2015.
The City of Calgary is taking things one step further marking Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by making it a permanent statutory holiday for all city employees.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Calgary Events 2021
Hear Phyllis Webstad’s Truths – Free Online Event
Monday, September 20th, 2021 at 12 pm
Learn from Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, along with members of her family as they share truths of their Residential School experiences through their new book, Beyond the Orange Shirt Story. Recommended for ages 12+. Livestream at https://medicinewheel.education/pages/btoss
Forest Lawn Truth & Reconciliation Event
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 at 4 pm – 8 pm
Forest Lawn Community Association 4020 26 Avenue SE
Come join us on September 22 from 4-8pm for an evening of gathering, learning, and fun as we launch a new project in Truth and Reconciliation.
Tipi Experiences
Indigenous Artisan Market
Powwow dancing
Food Truck
Kids Puppet Performances
Kids Crafts
Pokaiks – the Children: Orange Shirt Day Event
Saturday, September 25th, 2021at 10 am / 3rd St. & 8th Ave SW
CIF Reconcilation Society, City of Calgary, Elders and Community Members are welcoming you to their Third Annual Pokaiks – the Children: Orange Shirt Day Event. The memorial walk will be starting from the corner of 3rd St & 8th Ave SW downtown Calgary and going to Olympic Plaza where there is an afternoon of events planned.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Truth and Reconciliation Week – Free Online Event
September 27th, 2021 – October 1st, 2021
The programming will feature short videos created by Indigenous storytellers, followed by conversations with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and the children of Survivors of residential schools. The videos will be supported with classroom activities for students. Throughout the week we’ll share artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists. There will also be a moving tribute to the Missing Children that never returned home from the residential schools. For more information on the event and to register go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/truth-and-reconciliation-week-tickets-153491752965?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
Red River College’s Truth and Reconciliation Week – Free Online Event
September 27th, 2021 – October 1st, 2021
During the week, you will have opportunities to hear Indigenous voices, engage in the conversation, as well as participate in some interactive activities. Some of the themes we will be touching on this year include Every Child Matters, the Canadian Residential School System, intergenerational trauma, healing, and strength. Stay up to date and register at rrc.ca/indigenous/news
The Calgary Foundation presents Impacts of Intergenerational Trauma – a facilitated online learning experience
Tuesday, September 28th, 2021 at 10 am – 2 pm
Join Calgary Foundation for an opportunity to walk alongside one another on the path of reconciliation leading up to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. Register at Impacts of Intergenerational Trauma Tickets, Tue, 28 Sep 2021 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
The Law Society of Alberta presents Eugene J. Creighton, QC: A Survivor’s Story: My Journey from Indian Residential School to Success – Free Online Event
Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 at 12 pm – 1 pm
To commemorate Orange Shirt Day and National Truth and Reconciliation Day, the Law Society is honoured to have Eugene J. Creighton, QC, Aakaota’si (Owns Many Horses), as a guest speaker where he will share his story on how he survived residential school, how he used it to take on challenges in life and how to take next steps towards reconciliation.
Eugene is a member of the Kainai/Blood Tribe, of the Blackfoot Confederacy situated on the Ancestral Territory of the Blackfoot which encompasses the Treaty 7 area. He is an accomplished lawyer, retired Provincial Court Judge and rodeo champion. During his childhood, he spent 9 years at the St. Mary’s Indian Residential School. Register for this event at Registration (gotowebinar.com)
Grow with Trellis presents Family Practices and Oral Learning: A family night for all ages – Free Online Event
Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 at 6 pm – 7:15 pm
You and your family will hear storytelling, humour and traditional teachings from an Elder and community leaders, on the eve of Orange Shirt Day. Residential schools left a deep and lasting impact on traditional Indigenous family structures and systems. Many Indigenous communities are now focused on the importance of language revitalization and strengthening cultural and traditional practices. This interactive and engaging evening will leave you with laughter and curiosity. To register visit www.growwithtrellis.ca
Grow with Trellis presents Expanding Our Relations: Oral concepts of understanding – Free Online Event
Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 1 pm – 3 pm
You are invited to join us for a rich cultural experience to discuss the roles of traditional care and kinship; not just for our homes, but for all spaces we are in. Our guests will speak from each of their perspectives: an Elder, a Non-Indigenous ally, a frontline human services worker, a parent, and a youth. You will hear from a parent and youth as they engage in an honest, and open conversation on how embedding cultural and traditional practices has supported their growing relationship. There will be time for your questions built into this session. To register visit www.growwithtrellis.ca
CIFRS National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Thursday, September 30th, 2021
Family Activities and Crafts: 10 am – 8 pm
Blessing and Traditional Dance/Music Performance: 1 pm
Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Road SE
On September 30th, Southcentre Mall and Colouring It Forward Reconciliation Society have a special event that will pay tribute to Canada’s newest federal statutory holiday, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, beginning with all-day family activities and crafts intended to promote understanding and awareness of Indigenous culture and experiences, while also educating the community about how they can play an active role in reconciliation. This will be followed by a blessing ceremony and traditional dance and musical performance.
The Urban Society of Aboriginal Youth presents IndigiTRAILS Launch
Wednesday, September 30th, 2021 at 11 am – 2 pm / Prince’s Island Park
Join USAY for the launch of our first trail on the IndigiTRAILS app. Honouring Residential School Survivors, Indigenous youth have created a digital art installation that can be viewed only through use of our new IndigiTRAILS app. Located at Prince's Island Park, you can download the IndigiTRAILS app on September 30 and take a 30 minute walk to view seven different installations.
USAY staff will be located at the 6th Street Entrance to Prince's Island Park and will hand out trail maps and other information. Volunteers will be located around the trail to help assist those that attend. The IndigiTRAILS app and the Prince's Island Park location will be permanent after September 30, so you can walk the trail when you are able from that date forward. For more information contact LeeAnne at executivedirector@usay.ca
University of Calgary Indigenous Writers’ Panel: Literature on Intergenerational Trauma and Healing – Free Online Event
Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 12 pm – 1:30 pm
Join UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement, in partnership with the Calgary Public Library, in welcoming Eden Robinson, Richard Van Camp and Lee Maracle who will share their literature on intergenerational trauma and Indigenous resilience. Panel to be moderated by Dr. Michael Hart, UCalgary’s Vice-Provost (Indigenous Engagement), with opening prayer by Stoney Nakoda Elder Una Wesley and reflective remarks from Sarah Meilleur, Calgary Public Library’s Interim CEO. Sign-up at www.ucalgary.ca/events
University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work Annual Gayle Gilchrist James Lecture – Free Online Event
Wednesday, September 30th, 2021 at 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Modern science increasingly recognizes something Indigenous cultures have long known: Everything exists in dynamic flux — everything vibrates — and everything is in relation to everything else. This Faculty of Social Work panel discussion examines parallels between Indigenous ways of knowing and modern science. Panellists include Blackfoot Elder Leroy Little Bear, founding director of the Native American Program at Harvard University, who famously led a series of “science dialogues” with two of the world’s most significant 20th-century theoretical physicists (David Bohm and David Peat) along with Indigenous Elders and linguists. Other panellists include Piikani Nation member Dr. Betty Bastien, PhD, director of the Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work degree program at Red Crow Community College; Dr. Apela Colorado, PhD, a traditional cultural practitioner and director of the Worldwide Indigenous Science Network, which she founded at UCalgary; Dr. Hilary Weaver, DSW, from the University of Buffalo; and UCalgary Social Work Professor Emeritus Richard Ramsay. Sign-up at www.ucalgary.ca/events
University of Calgary Monkey Beach: Film Screening and Discussion – Free Online Event
September 30th, 2021 at 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Monkey Beach is a feature film adapting the novel by Eden Robinson, a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations in B.C. The novel draws the reader deep into a traditional world, a hidden universe of premonition, pain and power during a time when tragedy strikes a West Coast Indigenous community. This story explores the healing journey steeped in intergenerational trauma as the main character discovers deep connections with her ancestral world and spiritual beliefs.
Presented by the Calgary Public Library in partnership with UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement, the film will be followed by a discussion with director Loretta Todd and actors Tina Lameman and Nathaniel Arcand. Event hosted by Judy Aldous from CBC’s Alberta at Noon, with opening prayer by Siksika Elder Adrian Wolfleg and reflective remarks from Dr. Michael Hart, UCalgary’s Vice-Provost (Indigenous Engagement). Sign-up at www.ucalgary.ca/events
There are many additonal things you can do to educate yourself and take steps towards reconciliation including:
1. Read (Adult):
a. 94 Calls to Action – Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada
b. Indian Horse – Richard Wagamese
c. Be Anti-Racist – Ibram X. Kendi
d. The Reason You Walk – Wab Kinew
e. White Fragility – Robin Diangelo
f. Secret Path – Gord Downie
g. From the Ashes – Jesse Thistle
h. Seven Fallen Feathers – Tanya Talaga
i. The Inconvenient Indian – Thomas King
2. Read (Children):
a. When We Were Alone – David Robertson & Julie Flett
b. Phyllis’ Orange Shirt – Phyllis Webstad
c. I Am Not a Number – Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer
3. Watch a Movie:
a. We Were Children (you can rent this from the National Film Board)
b. Indian Horse (you can rent this from iTunes)
4. Take Action:
a. Learn whose traditional territory you are on
b. Email your MP & MLA to demand action to push forward the 94 Calls to Action
c. Stand up to stereotypes, prejudice and racism
d. Have open conversations with your family and friends
e. Raise awareness in your community and online
f. Make a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society or another Indigenous serving organization (like Miskanawah!)
g. Make a donation to the Downie Wenjack Fund
5. One Step Further – Support Indigenous Business:
a. Cheekbone Beauty
b. Loretta’s Wellness Circle
c. Native Diva Creations
d. Indicity
e. Indigenous Box
f. The Equinox Box
g. Raven Reads
h. There are hundreds across turtle island you could support. It is not appropriation if you use or wear Indigenous products that you purchased from an Indigenous person or business.
List complied by https://www.miskanawah.ca/ and for more information on CFN's Indigenous Education program visit www.centrefornewcomers.ca/indigenous