The National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day both take place yearly on September 30. This day honours children who never returned home and the Survivors of residential schools. All Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to show support for and honour Survivors of residential schools.
Where to buy an Orange Shirt Day shirt downtown:
shopAGA (pictured)
Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market
EAC Shop & Services
Royal Alberta Museum Shop
pimâcihowin ᐱᒫᒋᐦᐅᐃᐧᐣ – JOURNEY | A National Day for Truth and Reconciliation GATHERING
Free parking, live entertainment and prize draws. Hosted by I A M Indigenous Artist Market Collective.
September 23 | 9 AM – 3 PM
September 24 | 11 AM – 3 PM
Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market
Otehiwin // Open Heart – Art Exhibition
Thirteen dioramas illustrate the Indian Residential School era, the time before, and the time after. With scenes comprised of handmade dolls, structures, dwellings, and landscapes, this exhibition explores the history and legacy of the Indian Residential Schools and the impact it had upon First Nations and Metis families.
Artists: Sharon Rose Kootenay; co-curated by Brittany Cherweniuk
September 25-29 | 9 AM – 9 PM
October 1 | 10 AM – 5 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Otehiwin//Open Heart: An Indigenous Cultural Arts Series
Going Home
Host/Musician: Colten Bear
Musical Guests: Kyler Schogen and Julia Serben
September 25
7 PM – 8:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Otehiwin//Open Heart: An Indigenous Cultural Arts Series
In Words and Breath
Host/Musician: Colten Bear
Opening Song: Flying Stone Drummers
Welcoming Remarks: Brittany Cherweniuk – Four Lodges Indigenous Arts and Culture
Musical Guests: Flying Stone Drummers, Mark Taylor
Spoken Word/Poets: Karrie Auger; Naomi McIlwraith
September 26
7 PM – 8:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Orange Shirt Day Craft Workshop with Frances Whitford
Learn the significance of Orange Shirt Day and how to bead your own Orange Shirt Day Pin.
September 27
11 AM – 3 PM
Edmonton Arts Council Shop & Services
Otehiwin//Open Heart: An Indigenous Cultural Arts Series
The Storytellers
Host/Musician: Colten Bear
Musical Guests: Kyle and Sarah McKearney; Lorissa Schriven and Matt Stanyer
September 27
7 PM – 8:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Otehiwin//Open Heart: An Indigenous Cultural Arts Series
The Alchemists
Host/Musician: Colten Bear
Musical Guests: Brandon Baker and Olivia Street
September 28
7 PM – 8:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Films at the Library | Rhymes for Young Ghouls
Presented for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the feature debut of the late Mi’kmaq director Jeff Barnaby follows Aila, a 15-year-old girl living on the Red Crow Mi’kmaq reservation in 1976 as she tries to keep herself out of residential school and the hands of the sadistic Indian agent who runs the school.
September 29
2 PM – 3:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Hand in Hand: A Step Toward Reconciliation
The Edmonton Police Service will serve bannock and soup and have performances by traditional Pow Wow dancers, a hoop dancer and drummers. Crafts available for friends and family.
September 29
1 PM – 4 PM
Sir Winston Churchill Square
Otehiwin//Open Heart: An Indigenous Cultural Arts Series
Women’s Voices Rising
Host/Musician: Colten Bear
Musical Guests: Brenda Hrycun; Cikwes and Enoch Attey; Lorissa Schriven and Matt Stanyer; Shannon Boyle
September 29
7 PM – 8:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Nékem: Honouring National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
The intention of this gathering is to create a space for sharing stories of healing through reconnection to culture and strengthen awareness of the unique experiences of Indigenous Peoples today. Programming includes George Burnstick and the Abraham Lake Singers.
September 30
12 PM – 5 PM
CO*LAB – Community {Arts} Laboratory
Orange Shirt Day at RAM
Film Screening: Round Up at 11 AM, 1 PM 7 3 PM. Story Time for children ages 4-9 at 10:30 AM & 2 PM. All activities included with general admission. Admission is always free for Indigenous Peoples.
September 30
10 AM – 4 PM
Royal Alberta Museum
General Admission FREE all day | Art Gallery of Alberta
September 30
11 AM – 5 PM
Art Gallery of Alberta
Standing Together Orange Shirt Day Community Walk
Free orange shirts and bagged lunch provided.
September 30
12:00 PM
Meet at Mary Burlie Park
Otehiwin//Open Heart: An Indigenous Cultural Arts Series
Songwriters and Storytellers Circle
Join Elder Irene Morin, and host Colten Bear, for an afternoon of music, conversation, and stories. Join the circle with a song of your own, play the hand drum, or sing along!
Host/Musician: Colten Bear
Opening Song: Flyingstone Traditional Drummers
Opening Prayer: Elder Irene Morin
Musical Guests: Brandon Baker and Olivia Street; Cikwes and Enoch Attey; Lorissa Schriven and Matt Stanyer
October 1
1 PM – 3:30 PM
Stanley A. Milner Library
Mental health supports
Indigenous people can call The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-855-242-3310.
Survivors of residential schools can call 1-866-925-4419 for services and referrals from the Government of Canada.