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Wednesday is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and Calgarians will have several opportunities to honour, reflect and learn about the history of residential schools in the country.
Since 2021, Sept. 30 has been a day to recognize the children who attended residential schools and the impact this had on them, their families and communities.
Here are several events in the city, and farther afield, to mark the day.
The Confluence Historic Site
The City of Calgary program from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. features keynote speakers, comments from the mayor and performances highlighting Indigenous traditions and youth voices, finishing with a round dance. Free programing takes place throughout the day including markets, walking tours, free admission to exhibits and other events.
Reconciliation Walk
The 10th anniversary of the Pokaiks Reconciliation Walk and Event begins at 11 a.m. at the River Hall next to the 10th Street Bridge. The walk ends at Contemporary Calgary followed by the Reconciliation Event from noon until 5 p.m. featuring artisans, performances and other cultural displays.
Werklund Centre
An Indigenous market, powwow showcase and the Elder Story Project take place at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. The market opens at 11 a.m., the showcase begins at 5 p.m., and at 7 p.m. the story project begins. Tickets are free, and those without will be admitted based on capacity.
Heritage Park
Heritage Park is hosting Dancing in Their Honour: Truth and Reconciliation Powwow featuring song, dance, drumming, food, art and community. An Indigenous market runs from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Live music in the plaza runs from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., and the powwow celebration from 6-9 p.m.
The University of Calgary and Calgary Public Library
At 12:30 p.m. at Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall on the U of C campus, the Honourable Chief Phil Fontaine will make a presentation.
Sept. 29 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., the Central Library will screen the documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow). Registration is required.
Studio Bell
The Juno award winning Indigenous artist Jeremy Dutcher will perform an evening of music sung in Wolastoqey, Dutcher’s endangered mother tongue. The performance begins at 8 p.m.
North Glenmore Park
The inaugural Orange Shirt Day Walk and Run hosted by the Indigenous Runners Alliance takes place along the Glenmore Reservoir. The run is from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and offers runners a 5-kilometre, 10-kilometre or 2.15-kilometre walk for kids and elders. Registration and proceeds will support local movements and OrangeShirtDay.org.
Airdrie
At 7 p.m., the Bert Church Live Theatre presents Hey Riel!, a musical production about the life and struggles of Louis Riel. The show is free, but reservations are required.
artsPlace in Canmore
The Town of Canmore is hosting events at artsPlace from noon to 9 p.m., including remarks from Stoney Nakoda leadership, chiefs and the mayor, workshops, panel discussions, Îyethka (Stoney Nakoda) language learning, a pop-up exhibition and a screening of the film WaaPaKe (Tomorrow).
Banff
A gentle reflection walk from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. begins at Banff Town Hall. A granddaughter of a Métis residential school survivor will lead the walk and share her journey of joining a Truth and Reconciliation committee.
The Lux Cinema in Banff will show Bones of Crows at 7 p.m., a film about a Cree code talker who survived Canada’s Indian residential school system.
CBC special programming
Across all platforms, CBC will present special programming featuring music, documentaries and live events.