National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
To acknowledge the day and to encourage Canadians to continue their journeys of Truth and Reconciliation, this occasion became a national statutory holiday in 2020 through legislative amendments made by Parliament.
There are many Ideas to recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day (pdf), including:
- Attend a local event. In 2024, there are two significant events taking place in the Red Deer area:
- Honouring the Children Feast and Blanket Exercise at Fort Normandeau, hosted by Red Deer Native Friendship Society. Blanket Exercise to start at 9 a.m. followed by a traditional Feast at noon. All are welcome to participate in this enriching experience.
- Little Souls Journey Home at Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, hosted by Shining Mountains Living Community Services. Ceremony and community gathering to remember the lives of children lost to residential schools to take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Education: take time to learn about the history and ongoing issues faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
- Learn about Inuit across Canada
- Learn about Métis across Canada
- Learn about First Nations across Canada
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final reports and familiarize yourself with the findings and recommendations.
- Visit Indigenous sites, such as culture centres, museums and historic sites in your region.
- Listen to Indigenous voices and seek out their perspectives in literature, art, movies, documentaries, podcasts and music.
- Support Indigenous businesses and artisans.
- Volunteer with Indigenous organizations or initiatives that align with Reconciliation goals.
Wear Orange
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
The City of Red Deer encourages our community to find ways to observe this day, whether it be through reflection, education or participation in an activity or event.