Please note: the AECEA office will be closed from December 25, 2024-January 5, 2025. Expect a delay in processing questions and memberships. Happy holidays!
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.
AECEA would like to acknowledge the significance of this day. It serves as a somber reminder of the painful history and lasting impact of residential schools in Canada as well as the systemic discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples. On this day, we remember the thousands of Indigenous children who were forcibly taken from their families, many of whom never returned home. It is a day for reflection, learning and most importantly, a commitment to a path of healing and meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Let us honor the survivors, their families and those who never made it back, by making every effort to understand their stories and ensure such tragedies never happen again.
Here are a few ways you can support Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th:
- Attend an event near you - see the list below for some events happening in Alberta. Be sure to also check with your local First Nations, Metis and Inuit organizations to see if theyâre hosting an event.
- Wear an orange shirt from an indigenous artist. By wearing an orange shirt on September 30th, you commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS, every day and everywhere. Learn more about Orange Shirt Day.
- Familiarize yourself with the 94 calls to action and our progress on them.
- Learn more about Indigenous history and the residential school system. Reading the National Truth and Reconciliation Commissionâs reports is an eye-opening experience.
- Identify and acknowledge the territory where you live. The Government of Canadaâs GeoViewer lets you see the First Nations, Inuit, and MĂ©tis peoples who live near you.
- Listening to the stories and perspectives of those Indigenous peoples and communities around you.
This day is an emotional one for many. Please be sure to refer anyone who needs assistance to the following resources:
- 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.
- Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
For more information on this day, go here.
2024 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events
Below are some things to do in Calgary and the Edmonton Area to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Calgary Region
Celebrate Language and Culture
September 28, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Calgary Central Library, Level 1 - Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery, 800 3 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2E7
Details
All My Relations Healing Powwow
Septemeber 28, 1 pm - 6 pm
Hall A2, BMO Centre at Stampede Park, 20 Round Up Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Details
Film Screening of Bones of Crows
September 29, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Calgary Central Library, Level 1 - 1-03 Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, 800 3 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2E7
Details
Banff Gentle Reflection Walk
September 30, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Banff Town Hall, 110 Bear Street, Banff, AB T1L 1A1
Details
Okotoks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Pipe Ceremony
September 30, 10 am - 12 pm
Ethel Tucker Park, 7 Riverside Drive, Okotoks, T1S 2C1
Details
Pokaiks â The Children Commemorative Walk & Gathering
September 30, 10 am - 4 pm
Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2C4
Details
Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence
September 30, 10 am - 5 pm
The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, 750 9th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E1
Details
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Free Admission | Studio Bell
September 30, 10 am - 5 pm
Studio Bell, 850 4 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1R1
Details
A Conversation with Michelle Good
September 30, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre, 206 University Ct NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4V8
Details
Cochrane National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 12:30 - 6 pm
The Station at Cochrane Crossing, 360 Railway Street West Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2
Details
Indigenous Placemaking Tour
September 30, 1 pm - 2 pm
Calgary Central Library, Calgary Central Library, Level 1 - Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery, 800 3 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2E7
Details
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Gallery Tours
September 30, 2 pm - 4 pm
Centre Court at Arts Commons, 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0K9
Details
Elders Story Project
September 30, 6:30 pm
Jack Singer Concert Hall, 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0K9
Details
Central Alberta
Red Deer Honouring the Children Feast and Blanket Exercise
September 30, 9 am
Fort Normandeau, 28054 Range Road 382, ââRed Deer, AB T4N 3M4
Details
Red Deer Little Souls Journey Home
September 30, 11 am - 3 pm
Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, 4525 47A Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 6Z6
Details
Camrose Film Screening | The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open
September 30, 7 pm
Bailey Theatre, 5041 50 St, Camrose, AB T4V 1R3
Details
Edmonton Region
âSurvivor Portraitsâ Exhibit
September 22 - October 6
Kingsway Mall, 109 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 3A6
Details
nĂątawihowin áááá§áŠá
áá§áŁ â Healing Medicine
September 27, 4 pm - 9 pm & September 28, 10 am - 8 pm
Alberta Avenue Community Centre, 9210 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 0N2
Details
Indigenous River Valley Tour
September 28, 1 pm - 2 pm
Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB T5J 2C1
Details
Sherbrooke Community League Anti-Racism Seminar â Beading Workshop
September 29, 12 pm - 3 pm
Sherbrooke Community League, 13008 122 Avenue Northwest Edmonton, AB T5L 1M8
Details
AGA National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29, 1 pm - 5 pm
Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB T5J 2C1
Details
West Edmonton Mall National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29, 1 pm - 4 pm & September 30, 1 pm - 5 pm
Centre Stage, Level One, Phase I, West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 4J2
Details
REZZURGENCE: An All Indigenous Variety Show
September 29, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
CO*LAB, 9641 102A Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0G3
Details
Devon Orange Shirt Day
September 30, 9 am - 2 pm
Pimiy Ăcenas NĂątawĂźhowin Askiy (Devon Healing Medicine Grounds), 10 River Drive, Devon, AB T9G 1B1
Details
Healing Through Stories in Ceremony
September 30, 9 am - 3 pm
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, 11648 85 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB, T5B 3E5
Details
TELUS World of Science National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 9:30 am - 5 pm
TELUS World of Science, 11211 142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5M 4A1
Details
Indigenous Peoples Experience
September 30, 10 am - 4 pm
Fort Edmonton Park, 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, AB, T6H 4P3
Details
WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) Documentary Screening
September 30, 11 am
Metro Cinema, 8712 109 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1E9
Details
Stony Plain National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 11 am - 2 pm
Heritage Park, 5100 41 Ave, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 0B4
Details
Standing Together Orange Shirt Day Community Walk
September 30, 12 pm - 3 pm
Mary Burlie Park,10465 97 St NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 5C5
Details
Root for Trees
September 30, 12 pm - 4:30 pm
Kinsmen Park, Edmonton, AB
Details
Strathcona County National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 1 pm - 3 pm
Strathcona County Community Centre and Gallery, #501 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park, AB, T8A 5T8
Details
Alberta Legislature, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2 pm
East Lawn, Alberta Legislature Grounds, 10800 97 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5K 2B6
Details
Truth and Reconciliation Film Screening and Author Talk
September 30, 4 pm - 6 pm
Audreys Books, 10702 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3J5
Details
tahto awasis asitakimaw Every Child Matters Traditional Feast & Round Dance
September 30, 4:30 pm - 11 pm
Alberta Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway Northwest Edmonton, AB, T5G 0X4
Details
âCalling Back Our Spiritâ Round Dance
September 30, 5 pm - 10 pm
Boyle Street Plaza, 9538 103a Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 0J3
Details
Spruce Grove National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 6:30 pm
Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre, 1001 Calahoo Rd Spruce Grove, AB, T7X 1L6
Details
Northern Alberta
Wood Buffalo Community Gathering and Walk
September 30, 10 am
kiyÄm Community Park, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K7
Details
Grande Prairie Ceremonial Event and Barbecue
September 30, 10 am
Maskwoteh Park, 108 St, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8G5
Details
Peace River Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk
September 30, 12 pm
River Front Park, 100 Avenue, Peace River, AB T8S 1J3
Details
Grande Prairie 5km Orange Shirt Day Walk/Run
September 30, 5 pm
Muskoseepi Park, 102 Street &, 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1C1
Details
Southern Alberta
Lethbridge Orange Shirt Awareness Walk
September 29, 11 am - 3pm
Main Branch - Lethbridge Public Library, 810 5 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4C4
Details
Medicine Hat National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2 pm - 4 pm
Medicine Hat College, 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3Y6
Details
Lethbridge Orange Shirt Day Skate Jam
September 30, 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Legacy Skatepark, Uplands Blvd &, Blackwolf Way N, Lethbridge, AB T1H 6T9
Details
Lethbridge Truth and Reconciliation
October 1, 11 am - 1 pm
Centre Core, Lethbridge Polytechnic, CE1350, 3000 College Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6
Details