On September 30, National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day), we pause to honour Survivors, their families, and the children who never returned home from residential schools. It is also a time to reflect on the ongoing impacts of colonialism and our collective responsibility to advance reconciliation.
More than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced into residential schools, and thousands never returned home. The impacts continue today: 71% of children in government care in Alberta are Indigenous, though they represent only 10% of the child population. Indigenous women and girls face rates of violence 12 times higher than non-Indigenous women.
We invite you to take time to reflect and learn. Below are suggested resources and events that can support you in this journey.
Local Events in Edmonton & Area
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Orange Shirt Day Walk/Run: September 28 at Kinsmen Park. Join community members for a 2.15K, 5K, or 10K walk/run in solidarity. Learn more and register here.
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Fort Edmonton Park – Indigenous Peoples Experience: Opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m.; sessions 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
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TELUS World of Science – Orange Shirt Day Activities: 8 a.m.–4 p.m., tipi raising, smudging, vendors, drum dance, and a community walk.
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Royal Alberta Museum: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., artist talk and film screening.
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Bent Arrow “A Time to Listen”: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., entertainment, activities, keynote, and reflections.
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Creating Hope Society – From Acknowledgment to Action: Evening panel and documentary screening.
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St. Albert Truth & Reconciliation Gathering: 12–4 p.m., speakers, performances, artisans.
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Reconciliation Garden Lighting: 2–3 p.m. at the Alberta Legislature.
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Borden Park – Community Day of Reconciliation: Time to be confirmed.
Suggested Books & Readings
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21 Things™ You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government — Bob Joseph
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Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation — Murray Sinclair
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Those Who Know: Profiles of Alberta’s Aboriginal Elders — Dianne Meili
Films & Documentaries
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Sugarcane (2024): Investigative documentary on abuses and missing children at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School.
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WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) (2023): Explores intergenerational impacts of residential schools.
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nanekawâsis (2024): Cree artist George Littlechild’s story of reconnection and healing.
Podcasts
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Telling Our Twisted Histories: CBC series hosted by Kaniehti:io Horn that reclaims Indigenous history by decolonizing words like “savage” and “reserve.”
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Kuper Island: An eight-part CBC investigative podcast exposing the stories of four students at one of Canada’s most notorious residential schools.
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Unreserved: CBC Radio show hosted by Rosanna Deerchild that showcases Indigenous voices through storytelling, conversation, and culture.
National Residential School Crisis Line
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24-hour crisis hotline: 1-866-925-4419
Online Resources
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Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action: Current Status: Indigenous Watchdog
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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): Learning resources, archives, and survivor testimonies nctr.ca
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Orange Shirt Society: The story of Phyllis Webstad and the meaning of “Every Child Matters” orangeshirtday.org
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Assembly of First Nations: Resources on residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and reconciliation afn.ca
Our Commitment at YWCA Edmonton
At YWCA Edmonton, reconciliation is not only something we observe on September 30, but something we work toward every day. Our Reconciliation Action Plan was created in collaboration with Elders, community partners, and staff to guide our steps in honouring Indigenous ways of knowing, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and advancing truth and reconciliation in our community.
Whether you join a local event, read a book, listen to a podcast, or take a moment for reflection, your participation matters. Together, we can continue to move forward on the path of truth and reconciliation
