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September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honours residential school survivors and the children who were never returned home, as well as their families and communities.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada outlined 94 calls to action to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action No. 80 and to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service recognize September 30 as a paid day of leave for staff.
On September 30:
| Event | Date/Time | Location | |
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September 12-14 |
City-wide |
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Truth, Reconciliation and the Path Forward: An Evening of Learning + Dialogue |
September 15 |
Stanley A. Milner Library |
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Indigenous Bus Wrap Launch in partnership with Edmonton Aboriginal Senior Centre |
September 17 |
Edmonton Aboriginal Senior Centre
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Giving Back to the Streets |
September 20 |
Boyle Street Plaza |
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September 20 |
Edmonton Inn and Conference Centre |
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September 25 |
MacEwan University - SAMU The Lookout |
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September 25 |
Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West |
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5th Annual Orange Shirt Day Run & Walk with Root for Trees Plant Giveaway |
September 28 |
Kinsmen Park |
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September 28-October 2 |
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Free Admission to City Attractions for self-declared Indigenous people |
September 30 |
Edmonton Valley Zoo and Muttart Conservatory |
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September 30 |
kihêw waciston, MacEwan University |
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September 30 |
Fort Edmonton Park |
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City of St. Albert - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation |
September 30 |
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September 30 |
Borden Park |
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October 2-5 |
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School commemoration project held in Williams Lake, British Columbia, in the spring of 2013. This day was inspired by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the mission. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has become an opportunity to continue meaningful discussions on the legacy of residential schools and to support the reconciliation process.
September was chosen because it marks the back-to-school season and reflects the time in which Indigenous children were taken from their families to be placed in residential schools.
There are many ways to reflect on Orange Shirt Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Wearing an orange shirt or orange attire on September 30 honours the lives affected by residential schools and demonstrates solidarity with Indigenous community members.
These video resources are suitable for all ages to learn about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day, and the legacy of the residential school system. They were developed in partnership with:
Thank you to all the Elders and Knowledge Holders for sharing their truths and teachings.
If you need more support or information, these services are available 24/7 to help:
| National Residential School Crisis Line | 1-866-925-4419 (toll-free) |
| Hope for Wellness Help Line | 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) Support available in English, French, Ojibway, Cree and Inuktitut |
| Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line | 1-877-303-2642 (toll-free) |
| Canadian Mental Health Association Distress Line | 780-482-4357 (HELP) |
Bill C-5 is a legislative change that was introduced and passed to create the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, an annual federal statutory holiday on September 30. The intended purpose is to “respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 80 by creating a holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors and their families and communities and to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
The TRC was launched in 2008 as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Goals and activities of the TRC centered around truth-telling of the tragic impacts of residential school experiences and actions needed to guide a reconciliation process in Canada. From 2008 to 2015, the TRC collected historical documents and heard testimony from over 6,500 witnesses impacted by the residential school system. In 2015, the TRC released a 6-volume final report called Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future.
The TRC final report documents the cultural genocide inflicted by Canada’s residential school system and the experiences of approximately 150,000 Indigenous residential school students. The report identifies 94 calls to action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.
Community Services
18th Floor, Edmonton Tower
10111 104 Avenue NW
P.O. Box 2359
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7
| indigenousrelations@edmonton.ca | |
| Phone | 780-944-7602 |
| Fax | 780-577-3525 |