National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events Around Vancouver 2022
bySeptember 30th marks the second official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential “schools” in Canada.
If you are looking for a way to commemorate and recognize this day of active listening, and action (on top of wearing an orange shirt, which is a good start!) here are a few events in which you can participate around Metro Vancouver:
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Around Vancouver
- (Sept 16-18) stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow in Langley
- (Sept 17-18) ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire)
- (Sept 27) Step into the River: A Framework for Economic Reconciliation
- (Sept 28) Reconciliation Workshop With Charlene Seward
- (Sept 29) A Calls to Action Conversation on Truth and Reconciliation
- (Sept 29) In Conversation: Chrystal Sparrow, T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss and Rena Soutar
- (Sept 28-Oct 16) Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy) Presented by Carousel Theatre
- September 30th:
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Arts Umbrella
- On Truth and Reconciliation: Indigenous artist James Harry
- The Dance Centre: Jeanette Kotowich – Kisiskâciwan
- Museum of Vancouver Orange Shirt Day
- Weaving our Story Towards Reconciliation
- National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Memorial Langley
- National Truth and Reconciliation Day at Port Moody Station
- Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy) Presented by Carousel Theatre
- Free Admission at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- National Truth and Reconciliation Day at New Westminster Pier Park
- National Truth and Reconciliation Day Community Walk
- National Truth and Reconciliation Day Healing Walk
- Root Dwellers IRSSS Fundraiser ft Dakota Bear/JB The First Lady/Hayley Wallis
- We Stand With You Through Truth and Reconciliation
- CBC Coverage and Programming All Day
- Orange Shirt Day at Trout Lake
- Orange Shirt Day: Honouring the Children
- Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day
- Blanket Exercise (Delta)
- Place des Arts Coquitlam: Be the Change You Want to See
- Skookum Surrey
- Pilgrimage to Commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Honour of Residential and Day School Survivors
More events will be added throughout the month as they are announced. There are also online events and resources for schools during Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 26-30, 2022.
More Actions
You can donate to causes such as the IRSSS and Indigenous organizations in your community, like UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association). Support Indigenous-led businesses, check out Indigenous artists and exhibitions, and continue to honour and observe throughout the year.
Additional Resources
- Learn about the impacts of the Indian Residential School system
- Read about how Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation.
- Read the TRC’s 94 recommendations
- Here’s a progress report on the TRC calls to action, only 13 have been completed so far
- This is a kid-friendly version of the TRC calls to action
- Contact your MPs and local officials
- Actively listen to people of First Nations, Inuit and Métis backgrounds
- Stand up to stereotypes, prejudice and systemic racism
- Have conversations with your family and friends (even children)
- Be respectful towards trauma survivors and elders
- Support Indigenous-led community organizations
- Be patient, empathetic and receptive (it’s distressing for everyone)
- Raise awareness in your community and online (wear orange)
- For support:
- IRSSS Toll-Free Line: 1-800-721-0066 (24-Hours)
- National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
- Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-888-403-3123
History of National Truth and Reconciliation Day
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis Webstad. Orange Shirt Day grew out of her own experiences and the experiences of other residential school survivors who attended St. Joseph’s Mission near Williams Lake. It’s 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.
Orange Shirt Day has become an important opportunity to open up dialogue on anti-racism and anti-bullying. This day is meant to also encourage deeper reflection, learning and public dialogue on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
In June 2021, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5 to name September 30 as a federal statutory day. It is observed as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This directly responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80. Action #80 calls upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, “to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”