Annually in Canada, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation takes place on Sept. 30, honouring the children and survivors of the Government of Canada’s enforced residential school system.
The last residential school in Canada was closed as recently as 1997, and the national day became a statutory holiday in 2021 by a legislative amendment made in Parliament.
Since 2021, Calgary has been involved in honouring and marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day, which are on the same day in Canada. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement and commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools.
On Sept. 30, Canadians from across all provinces are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to commemorate the harmful legacy of residential schools and promote the concept that “Every Child Matters.”
The City of Calgary has committed to illuminating the Reconciliation Bridge and Centre Street Bridge orange to honour the National Truth & Reconciliation Day as part of Calgary Culture Days, which highlights local events while honouring Orange Shirt Day.
Along with wearing an orange shirt, Calgarians can also participate in a number of events, ceremonies, performances and public screenings that will be offered to mark the day on Sept. 30.
On Sept. 29 and 30, 2025, UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement, in partnership with the Calgary Public Library, will honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada/Orange Shirt Day with special events held on campus and at the Central Library. Join them for a free viewing of the film Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot man, directed by Trevor Solway, with special remarks from Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur, BA’01, and UCalgary’s Dr. Michael Hart, vice-provost (Indigenous Engagement).
When: Monday, Sept. 29, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Central Library — 800 3rd St. SE
Cost: Free
Join the Pokaiks Reconciliation Society for its annual Pokaiks ‘The Children’ Commemorative Walk & Gathering, honouring Indigenous children of the past, present and future on National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. The walk will begin on the south side of the Peace Bridge at 11 a.m. and conclude at Contemporary Calgary, where opening ceremonies will be led by Elders and community leaders. This will be followed by an afternoon of community programming featuring traditional Indigenous performances (drumming, dancing, singing), Elder storytelling, youth workshops, artisan showcases, community booths, and family-friendly activities. The day will end with closing ceremonies at 5 p.m.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Peace Bridge, south side
Cost: Free
Head to Heritage Park for a significant day of reflection and education as you walk the path of reconciliation together. This year, Heritage Park will honour Truth and Reconciliation with a special day full of meaningful programming across the park. Heritage Park will offer free admission to anyone who self-identifies as Indigenous.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park — 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Cost: Free to $15
Commemorate Indian residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Enjoy presentations from various speakers, including the Mayor, Indigenous Elders and school board representatives at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (previously Fort Calgary). A blessing from an Elder will start the event, and Indigenous dancers will entertain during. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear orange as a sign of support and to honour the children who didn’t return from residential schools across the country.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland — 750 9th Ave. SE
Cost: Free
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Werklund Centre is a day of reflection and learning, and an opportunity to honour the survivors of the Canadian residential school system. Join Werklund Centre on Sept. 30 to honour and celebrate Indigenous ways of knowing and being: sign up for an Art Galleries Tour and Artist Talk featuring young Indigenous artists in the exhibition Etuaptmumk: The Art of Two-Eyed Seeing in STEAM; explore Indigenous artistry and culture at the Indigenous Makers Market & Pow Wow Showcase; immerse yourself in a transcendent auditory journey rooted in the spirit and rhythms of the land at Echoes of the Land; and different from previous years, join us for an evening of ceremony and community, with the Elders Story Project.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall — 225 8th Ave. SE
Cost: Free
The Confluence is excited to partner with Quest Theatre and offer public performances of the play “We Are All Treaty People.” The play is being offered as part of an event series The Confluence is hosting to commemorate 150 years since the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) first arrived at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers and established Fort Calgary in 1875. “We Are All Treaty People” follows the story of a Trickster who meets two young girls: one of Aboriginal descent and one of colonial descent. As the girls question whether they can be friends, the Trickster recounts the story of Treaty 7, including the context of its signing, the promises made and broken, and the ongoing challenges we face today.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland — 750 9th Ave. SE
Cost: Free
Recent Posts:
This historic Alberta park dates back to the 19th-century fur trade
Calgary Chinatown’s one-day festival has exquisite light and lantern displays
Em Medland-Marchen
Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, their dogs Bandit and Stanley, and walks along the Bow River.
Read articles
