How to participate in Truth and Reconciliation Day 2023 in Edmonton

There are many ways that you can meaningfully, and with your children, participate in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Edmonton with children. It’s a day of learning, reflection and reconciliation created as a way to commemorate residential school victims, survivors, families and communities. It’s more than wearing an orange shirt, it’s ensuring our children know the impacts of residential schools.

Discover the Reconciliation Garden at Alberta Legislature Grounds - September 29, 2023
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Check out the opening of the Reconciliation Garden ‘Kihciy Maskikiy / Aakaakmotaani’ (Cree and Blackfoot words meaning ‘sacred medicine / save many people’) at the Alberta Legislature Grounds on Sept. 29.

Visit Fort Edmonton Park
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Learn with a visit to Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park. The exhibit will be open Saturday for Truth and Reconciliation Day. A portion of proceeds will be directed toward more Indigenous programming in the park. 

Free Admission to Art Gallery of Alberta
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To mark the importance of this day, the AGA is offering free admission to visitors with the support of Capital Power, inviting the public to reflect on our truth and history as part of our commitment toward reconciliation.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at West Edmonton Mall
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An informative day of Indigenous history, ceremony and tradition. Learn the meaning behind The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the impact it had on indigenous peoples in this region. Live teachings from local elders and stories from younger generations impacted by residential schools.
The day will include teachings, stories, dancing, drumming, and a traditional circle dance. Also, at the event – local Indigenous artisans and a tipi. Come show your support and learn about local history.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Display at Kingsway Mall
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Visit Kingsway Mall for a personal display and account of the survivors of the residential school system. Kingsway Mall honours the survivors of the residential school system and honours the memory of those children who have been lost.

Walk for Truth and Reconciliation in Stony Plain
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Come walk the path. Wear ad orange shirt and recongize National Day for Truth and Reconcilitation. Walk 1.5km together and then listen, share and connect with others with the event ending in a demostration round dance and feast for all. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Strathcona County
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Strathcona County will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, with events at Broadmoor Lake Park Plaza and Gallery@501. The day will include blessings, a smudging ceremony, Indigenous speakers, and an Honour Walk to pay homage to residential school victims. Attendees can enjoy Métis displays, community services, refreshments, and explore the “Ni’kmaq – My Family” and “Resilience” art exhibits by Nelson White, Margaret Witschl, and Delio Delgado, creating a multifaceted educational and reflective experience

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Royal Alberta Museum
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Royal Alberta Museum has more than 18,000 objects of Indigenous origin. These objects date from the mid-1800s to the present. Visit RAM to learn more about indigenous history of Alberta. Visitors can join in on story time in the Book Nook, watch film screenings by an Indigenous filmmaker, and learn about the history, impacts, and acts of reconciliation they can implement in their own life. Stop by the children’s gallery for Storytime readings.

Devon Orange Shirt Day
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Come together to honour those who survived the residential school system and those who did not. Join us for the grand opening of the new Pimiy Ôcenas Nâtawîhowin Askiy (Devon Healing Medicine Grounds). The event features a pipe ceremony, park dedication, guest speakers, lunch, activities including story-telling, rock painting, and button-making, a community walk, sunflower planting take-home gifts, closing acknowledgements, and an Orange Shirt Fundraiser, fostering remembrance and education on the residential school system.

Visit the Survivors Flag on Display at City Hall
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The Survivors flag will be on site at City Hall until October 10, 2023. The Survivors’ Flag honours the lives and communities affected by the Canadian residential school system. The design is composed of several symbolic elements carefully chosen by residential school survivors across the country. Traditional pow wow dancers, drummers and hoop dancers will perform in Churchill Square (Friday) between 1pm and 4pm.

Explore Edmonton has an indigenous shopping guide, that you can use to find orange shirts with proceeds that are going to community members, indigenous makers and creators.