Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, intended to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Call to Action No. 80 and honor the experiences and resilience of Indigenous children and communities by commemorating and raising awareness about the painful legacy of Canada's residential school system. This year marks 10 years since the TRC released its final reports and 94 Calls to Action.
Within CBE’s Education Plan, we have committed to "Advance the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (Education for ReconciliACTION).” In remembrance of the children and survivors of the residential schools, CBE recognizes the importance of commitment to continued learning, growth and respectful honouring of Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing and knowing.
Each school year, CBE schools develop and share their Truth and Reconciliation Commitment to Action with their communities. Alongside these commitments, schools integrate Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing throughout the Alberta curriculum. This includes Indigenous land-based learning, engaging with texts by Indigenous authors and exploring Indigenous languages and histories. Schools also work to build students’ self-connection by fostering intercultural understanding and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for Indigenous students.
Participate in Sept. 30 Community Events in Moh’kins’tsis (Calgary)
- City of Calgary, Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School Division National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Ceremonial Opening
Sept. 30 at 9 AM
Live event at the Confluence Historic Site and Parkland to commemorate residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. The event will be live streamed on the City of Calgary website. CBE encourages staff, teachers and families to participate. - Pokaiks – The Children Commemorative Walk & Gathering
Sept. 30 from 11 AM to 5:30 PM
Indoor event at Contemporary Calgary (Contemporary Calgary, 701 - 11 St SW) focusing on youth performers. - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Werklund Centre
Werklund Centre is hosting a day of reflection, learning, and honouring residential school survivors through art, culture, and community - featuring Indigenous artist talks, a Makers Market & Pow Wow Showcase, immersive music, and a special evening ceremony with Elders. - Heritage Park National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Sept. 30 from 10 AM to 3 PM
Heritage Park will honour Truth and Reconciliation with a special day full of meaningful programming across the park. - University of Calgary, Office of Indigenous Engagement and Calgary Public Library
Sept. 29 and 30
A list of special events held on campus.
National Events
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Sept. 30 at 3 PM ET
A live national broadcast that will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Watch on APTN, CBC, and CBC GEM. - The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund: A Day to Listen Live Event
Sept. 30 from 6 AM to 6 PM
Over 500 radio stations in Canada will join to host guest speakers that will talk about Indigenous identity through conversations about representation in sports and entertainment, the fusion of traditional and contemporary music, land protection, and the impacts of climate change, and more.
CBE remains committed to Truth and Reconciliation, to create a sense of belonging and connection for students and employees as set out as one of the three main goals in the Education Plan.