2024 TRC Events in Alberta
Michelle Good Presentation Event
Getting Under the Myth of Canadian History | Sept. 30 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. MT
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre, UCalgary
Film Screening of Bones of Crows
Sept 29 | 6:30 – 9 p.m. MT | Central Library
Bones of Crows is a multi-generational epic and story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls). Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, young musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Over the next hundred years, Aline and her descendants fight against systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse—and to build a more just future.
POKAIKS. The Children Commemorative Walk and Gathering Event
Sept. 30 | Place? TBD
Be a part of our meaningful Orange Shirt Day Event that honours our past and builds bridges for the future. Pokaiks - The Children Commemorative Walk and Gathering 2023 is a tribute to survivors of the Residential School System and Sixties Scoop and the generations that have been impacted by this era in our collective history.
There are several volunteer opportunities. Please, look at them at the link below.
Metis Crossing Truth and Reconciliation Event
Monday, September 30 | Metis Crossing | Smoky Lake County
Experience a day of community, reflection, dialogue, and hope at the Truth and Reconciliation Event at Métis Crossing on Monday, September 30th, 2024. Join us for an opening ceremony featuring prayers and stories of resilience, followed by engaging conversations with Métis Knowledge Holders. Enjoy traditional live music and dance that celebrates the enduring spirit of the Métis community.
Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk / Every Child Matters
Monday, September 30, 2024 | 12:00pm | Kinsmen Park, Edmonton
Run/Walk to honor our little ancestors who did not survive the Residential school era and in support and solidarity for the survivors who fight every day for healing and justice. This event aims to raise funds for the Orangeshirtday.org as well as local grassroots movements including promoting and supporting Indigenous athletes. This will be a combination of pavement and trail run through the beautiful YEG river valley trails starting at Kinsmen Park and includes three distances of 5 & 10 km and an Elder/Kids 2.15 km. The cancellation policy can be found on our website Indigenous Runner | Red Trail Running
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day
Monday, September 30, 2024 | 12:00 a.m. 11:55 p.m.
Athabasca Tribal Council: 9206 McCormick Drive Fort McMurray, AB, T9H 1C7
Watch the film: We Were Children
Tim Wolochatiuk | 2012 | 1 h 22 min
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Lunch and Learns | September 23 – 27, 2024
We invite you to join our daily Lunch and Learn webinars – an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. Lunch and Learn sessions are aimed at an adult audience, and open to the public, and will be hosted virtually over Zoom Webinar and streamed to YouTube. Expert matter speakers will present for 40-50 minutes before a Q&A between the moderator and guest(s). All sessions will have simultaneous English-French and ASL interpretation.
What is TRC and Orange Shirt Day?
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to honour and remember “the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.”
The Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis Webstad and led by Indigenous Peoples. It grew out of her own experiences and the experiences of other residential school survivors who attended St. Joseph’s Mission near Williams Lake, British Columbia. Orange Shirt Day is a day to honour the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families and a time to engage in meaningful discussions about the history and legacy of the residential school system.
You can find several resources to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation below.
“Residential School Song” (Indian Boarding School Song) by Cheryl Bear. The Good Road (2007).
“Lost Souls” by Tom Jackson (2021).
"215 and Counting (Oh Canada)" by Jordan Hart (2023)
“Survivor’s Voice” by Edward Gamblin. Cree Road (2006)
“Cut My Hair” by Digging Roots (2021).
“Seeds” by Julian Taylor (2022).
“Some Of These Children, They Never Grew Up” by Myles Goodwyn (2021).
10 must-reads on residential schools, reconciliation and the experience of Indigenous peoples by the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. The University of British Columbia (N.D.).
The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015).
From the Ashes. My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle. Simon & Shuster (2019).
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph. Indigenous Relations Press (2018).
They Came for the Children. Canada, Aboriginal Peoples, and Residential Schools. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2012).
From Truth to Reconciliation. Transforming the Legacy of Residential Schools. Aboriginal Healing Foundation Research Series (2008).
We Were Children by Tim Wolochatiuk (2012).
Indian Horse. Directed by Stephen S. Campanelli and written by Dennis Foon (2017).
"TRC DAY: A Time to Listen by Dianne Climenhage." Published by MCC Peace & Justice Office (2021).
"Embracing the Pain of the Past and the Present by Randy Klassen." Published by MCC Peace & Justice Office (2021).
"Treaty as Sacred Covenant" video series by MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group. Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (2021).