National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
As Canada marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations encourages Edmontonians to participate in an event or activity designed to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. This year, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events are taking place in-person and online. Participants are invited to wear an orange shirt on September 30, 2022, to show their support.
All events below take place on September 30, 2022.
Reviving Our Spirit with Language
Trellis Society
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual. Register to receive the online event link.
Cost: Free
Registration: https://www.growwithtrellis.ca/stories/orange-shirt-day-celebrations-2022
Join us for a rich cultural experience on the importance of language reclamation. The United Nations calls 2022-23 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, saying, “Optimistic estimates suggest that at least 50 per cent of today’s spoken languages will be extinct or seriously endangered by 2100.”
Westend Seniors Activity Centre
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: 9629 – 176 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta
Cost: Free
Presentation – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join Adele Arcand (Bearwoman) for this very important day. Adele is a Cree/Mohawk Wisdom Keeper, Educator, and Healer who will provide a facilitated conversation about residential schools and reconciliatory work. She has worked for the past 30 years sharing her knowledge, her teachings, and her healing gifts with thousands of First Nations people across Canada.
Showing – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
After the presentation, please stay for a special viewing of Gord Downie’s – The Secret Path. It tells the story of Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, a twelve-year-old boy who died in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School fifty years ago. The Secret Path adapts the 5th and last album of Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel to tell Charlie’s story.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Past, Present, and Future
Bent Arrow Society
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Participants are welcome to watch on the Bent Arrow Facebook page @BentArrowYEG.
1:00 p.m: Elder Prayer
1:10 p.m: Why we commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
1:20 p.m: Residential School Survivor Speaks
2:00 p.m: Song
2:10 p.m: Teaching on the 7 Sacred Teachings Video
2:30 p.m: Performance by Dallas Arcand Jr
3:30 p.m: Closing remarks Bent Arrow ED Cheryl Whiskeyjack
Root For Trees – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – Plant Giveaway
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Kinsmen Park
Cost: Free
To recognize the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Root for Trees is giving away 1500 native species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers as a way to honour the victims, families, friends, and inter-generational survivors of residential schools.
Calling Our Spirits Back
Indigenous Congress of Alberta Association (ICAA)
Location: Boyle Street Community Plaza 9538 103A Avenue
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Schedule:
7:30 a.m: Sunrise Pipe Ceremony
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m: Courageous Conversations
5:00 p.m: Feast
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m: Round Dance
Cost: Free.
Participants must register at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/calling-our-spirits-back-tickets-420105927137
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Performance
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Bonnie Doon Centre – Promo Court by Entrance 1 (8330 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB)
Cost: Free
Learn about the song and dance of the Nakota and Cree people of the Treaty 6 territory. There will be drumming and singing during the performance.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sherwood Park
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Broadmoor Lake Park & Gallery@501
501 Festival Avenue, #120, Sherwood Park
Cost: Free
On the main stage (Broadmoor Lake Plaza), join guest speakers, an Indigenous Elder, performers and Knowledge Keepers to learn about the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of Indigenous peoples. Traditional food will be available for sale, and family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt and canoe rides, will be offered.
The Strathcona County Library is hosting Metis on the Move, an artifact exhibit complete with a trapper’s tent, Red River Cart and voyageur games.
At Gallery@501, “The Healing Language of Alex Janvier” will be open from 1-4 p.m. Mini tours to see Janvier’s permanent artworks commissioned in 1976 and 2001 will be available on the half hour.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Walk with Elders – Stony Plain
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Stony Plain Community Centre – 5008 51 Avenue
Cost: Free
Join community members and Elders for a local walk and talk in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Hear from an Elder on the importance of recognizing this day, then gather for tea, bannock, and additional sharing after the walk at the Family Connection Centre (5600 50 Street).
Orange Shirt Day – Devon Area
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Various locations in Devon. Please visit the Town of Devon website for details.
The Town of Devon and the Devon Public Library will be hosting a gathering and walk to honour residential school survivors and those impacted by the residential school system.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 a.m: Pipe Ceremony
10:00 – 10:30 a.m: Speeches
11:00 – 12:00 p.m: Community walk in solidarity with IRS survivors Walk will start from the Town Office and end at the Community Center
12:00 – 1:30 p.m: Lunch (Burger Creeations Food Truck)
2:00 – 4:00 p.m: Presentations from IRS Survivors
4:00 p.m: Community art project
6:00 – 8:00 p.m: We Were Children screening at Devon Community Centre