Monday, Sept. 30, marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
This important federally-recognized day honours the history, cultures and languages of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and acknowledges the enduring impact of Residential schools on the Survivors, their families and communities.
Orange Shirt Day, also recognized on Sept. 30, is a grassroots, Indigenous-led day of commemoration designed to raise awareness for the intergenerational impacts of Residential schools. Originating from the legacy of a Commemoration Project and Reunion of Survivors from the St. Joseph Mission Residential School and personal experience of Survivor Phyllis Webstad, the orange shirt symbolizes the “Every Child Matters” movement, representing hope and a commitment to a better future.
While Canadians take the day to reflect on past injustices and learn about the dynamic history of the Indigenous Peoples and their communities, this commitment to reflection, understanding and continued learning must continue throughout the year.
In Calgary, the community is committed to supporting meaningful actions towards Indigenous Reconciliation and removal of systemic barriers.
This intentional focus to build a community that is welcoming and accessible for all people to build a career and a life, as well as economic prosperity for future generations, are key focus areas in the city’s economic action plan, Uplook.
Part of understanding how businesses, governments and community organizations can build an inclusive economy in Calgary is by leading intentional progress towards Economic Reconciliation with and for Indigenous Peoples in the region.
Recently, Calgary Economic Development and the City of Calgary released the Indigenous Economic Contribution Study, which benchmarks the economic contributions of Indigenous households, governments and businesses in Calgary and the Treaty 7 Region, and identifies recommendations to increase Indigenous economic participation.
As we gather to recognize the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we encourage Calgarians to explore the many community-led events and learning resources available to learn, reflect and commemorate this important day.
Attend events in your local community:
Below are a few events you can attend in the local Calgary area to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Consider wearing an orange shirt from a local Indigenous vendor in honour of Orange Shirt Day!
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Participate in one (or more) events put on by the Calgary Foundation. You can conveniently filter specific events by Key Issue and Target Population.
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Sept. 27, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: The Fabric of Our Stories at the Women’s Centre of Calgary
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Sept. 28, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: All My Relations Healing Powwow at BMO Centre of Stampede Park
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Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Heritage Park
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Sept. 30, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Orange Shirt Day at the Confluence Historic Site & Parkland
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Sept. 30, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Pokaiks – The Children Commemorative Walk & Gathering 2024
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Sept. 30, 12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Indigenous Makers Market at Arts Commons (Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby)
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Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Tours for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Military Museums Foundation
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Sept. 30, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Gallery Tours & Artist Talks at Arts Commons (The Galleries)
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Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.: Elders Story Project at Arts Commons (Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby)
Continue your learning journey
There are many resources available to learn more about the systemic challenges and history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. As you start or continue upon your learning journey, it is important to note that education on Indigenous issues is dynamic and ever-expanding.
Core to the work community organizations, businesses and governments undertake to advance progress towards Reconciliation are the 94 Calls to Action, a robust report published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) in 2015. It identifies tangible recommendations for all orders of government to work together, change policies and practices to repair the systemic barriers faced by Indigenous Peoples and move forward.
Building upon the 94 Calls to Action, the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee released 43 recommendations in the White Goose Flying Report in 2016. Named after Jack White Goose Flying, a student who died on an Indian Industrial school in the Calgary region, the report evaluates specific recommendations that the City of Calgary could directly implement or support.
Reflecting on these calls-to-action is a good place to start learning more about the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the significance of Truth and Reconciliation on the path forward together.
Additional learning resources include:
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Understand the economic contributions of local Indigenous business, governments and communities in Calgary and the Treaty 7 Region with the Indigenous Economic Contribution Study;
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Explore the Indigenous Services and Initiatives by Calgary Public Library;
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Delve into the Resource Library from the Taylor Institute at the University of Calgary and the Office of Indigenous Engagement for the latest stories and events;
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Learn with the Territorial acknowledgement pronunciation guide;
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Listen to the Matriarch Movement Podcast, where host Shayla Oulette Stonechild amplifies Indigenous voices from all over Canada and the Native Calgarian Podcast with host Red Thunderwoman;
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Download and use the IndigiTRAILS application (on the App Store and Google Play) by Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth for an interactive experience when out in nature (additional apps include: IndigiWORLDS, IndigiMAP and IndigiPRINTS);
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Learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples in the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada;
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Watch this informative video about Canadian Residential School History featuring Phyllis Webstad, by the Orange Shirt Society and Residential Schools in Canada: A Timeline by Historica Canada; and
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Follow social media accounts like @reconciliationcanada or @gcindigenous .
Support Indigenous-led organizations and creators
Calgarians can also honour and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by supporting local Indigenous-led and owned small businesses, organizations, artists and creators today and year-round.
These include:
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Moonstone Creation in Inglewood;
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Feral Fawn (located on the Tssuut’ina Reserve);
Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and access learning resources on the Canadian Heritage website. Dive deeper into the community’s economic action plan, Uplook, that identifies a path towards an economy that is inclusive and accessible for everyone.