How to Connect and Reflect on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is a day to recognize and reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of residential school systems, honour Survivors and remember the children who never returned home. We wear orange shirts because of Phyllis Webstad, who’s new orange shirt was taken away from her on her first day at the residential school she was sent to near Williams Lake, British Columbia.

The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action offer us a starting point on what we can do to advance reconciliation as tourism professionals and businesses.

If you or your guests would like to attend an event, there are dozens taking place throughout the province. Activities range from ceremonies and honour walks to workshops and free admission to museums to learn more about the residential school system and its long-term impacts on Indigenous families, communities and nations. Find an event near you here, or see this brief list below for some ideas.

Southern Chiefs Organization Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Pow Wow. Begins with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at the Oodena Circle at The Forks, followed by a healing walk to the Canada Life Centre, with Grand Entry for the pow wow at 1:00 p.m.

Manitoba Museum. Provides special programming and gallery access to honour the day from September 30 – October 2.

Remembering Our Children, Reclaiming Our Future. Sargent Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg hosts The First Nations Family Advocate Office with a family-friendly event featuring entertainment, food, and reflection on September 29, 3-7 p.m.

Birtle and Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation 5th Annual Reconciliation Run. The half-marathon takes place on September 26. Join Chief Tréchelle Bunn of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation at 9 a.m. Starting at the former Birtle Residential School and finishing at Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation. Register before September 19 to secure your spot. Registration will also be available on site the morning of the run.

Mino-giizhigad It's a Beautiful Day at the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada in Keeshkeemaquah. Starting with a reconciliation walk from the Portage la Prairie City Hall to the former residential school site, the day's activities include an opening prayer and ceremony, barbeque, pow wow demonstration and teachings and activities for families. Free tours of the museum are offered to the public.

Thompson. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC) and The City of Thompson will have free activities, presentations and a fashion show for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Events will take place at TRCC Gymnasium and the Boreal Discovery Centre.