National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: events and resources for Calgarians

Sept. 30, 2021, marks Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The new holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013 and encourages Canadians to wear orange to honour the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is intended to commemorate the painful history of the residential school system, honouring those who were lost, as well as the survivors. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event.

With that in mind, here are some National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day events and resources for Calgarians:

Events

CIFRS Indigenous Art Exhibit

Sept. 1 – 30, 2021

In partnership with Colouring It Forward Reconciliation Society (CIFRS), Southcentre Mall invites Calgarians to experience a month-long art exhibit that will culminate in a commemorative event in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the first observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

The Unforgotten: Film Screening and Interactive Reflection Session (Online)

Thursday, Sept. 30, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. MT

The Unforgotten is a collection of stories about the health and well-being of Inuit, Métis and First Nations peoples across five stages of life. Following the film screening (35 minutes) there will be an interactive reflection session with members of the University of Calgary's Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office.

Orange Shirt Day Online

Thursday, Sept. 30, noon – 1 p.m. MT

The City of Calgary will join communities across the country recognizing Orange Shirt Day in an outdoor ceremony that will be livestreamed on calgary.ca/live.

Indigenous Writers' Panel: Literature on Intergenerational Trauma and Healing (Online)

Thursday, Sept. 30, noon – 1:30 p.m. MT

Join the University of Calgary's Office of Indigenous Engagement, in partnership with the Calgary Public Library, in welcoming Eden Robinson, Richard Van Camp and Lee Maracle, who will share their literature on intergenerational trauma and Indigenous resilience.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Broadcast Special

Thursday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. MT

This unique one-hour, commercial-free primetime special airing on APTN and CBC/Radio-Canada honours the stories and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples affected by the tragedies of the residential school system in Canada, with musical tributes and ceremonies in Indigenous communities across the land.

Monkey Beach: Film Screening and Discussion (Online)

Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. MT

Monkey Beach is a feature film adapting the novel by Eden Robinson, a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations in B.C. Presented by the Calgary Public Library in partnership with the University of Calgary's Office of Indigenous Engagement, the film will be followed by a discussion with director Loretta Todd and actors Tina Lameman and Nathaniel Arcand.

Resources

Government of Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day

CREB^® acknowledges that its office is located, and that its REALTOR^® members serve, on the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region and Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. CREB^® respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our community.