Things to do: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Calgary
Posted Sep 28, 2023 7:53 pm.
Last Updated Sep 30, 2023 8:21 am.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 2023 will have plenty for Calgarians to do in the city on Saturday.
Fort Calgary will have opening ceremonies for Orange Shirt Day at 9 a.m. and will continue until 10:30 a.m. It will start with a blessing from an Elder followed by performances by Indigenous dancers.
“This year, the city continues to support community-based events,” said Harold Horesefall, Indigenous Issues Strategist with the city’s Indigenous Relations Office, in a news release.
“The day will begin with stories from survivors and following events at Fort Calgary, we’ll be inviting the public to use a complimentary shuttle from Fort Calgary to Prince’s Island (events will be at the Enmax Stage), or to Olympic Plaza for a walk of remembrance, where our community partners will be hosting an event from 11 a.m. onwards.”
The city encourages everyone planning to attend to wear orange to honour children who didn’t make it back from residential schools across Canada.
Events for the day include a walking tour, which starts at Fort Calgary, at 11 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m., there is a Youth Competition Powwow at the Brown Bear Events Center at 12 p.m., and an Elders Story Project and Indigenous Showcase and Market at Jack Singer Concert Hall at 7 p.m. and 12 p.m. respectively.
In addition, there is a Pokaiks — The Children Commemorative Walk and Gathering Event, which will meet at 11 a.m. at the Municipal Building and will continue to Shaw Millenium Park. On Oct. 1, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., the Calgary Central Library will have a Talking Stick Healing Circle hosted by Elder Marilyn Shingoose.
“We invite you to attend our healing circle for a bit of aftercare to our event,” reads a notice from the CIF Reconciliation Society.
Siksika Health Services and the Calgary Hitmen are hosting a Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow at the Scotiabank Saddledome at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Calgary Transit will be setting up shuttle buses between several locations where Orange Shirt Day events are happening. Transit says the route starts at Fort Calgary, and buses will stop at Olympic Plaza, Prince’s Island, and Shaw Millennium Park before heading back to Fort Calgary.
In the meantime, from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m., 6 Street SE will be closed between 7 Avenue and 9 Avenue as there will be higher than normal amounts of people walking to the different areas in the city.
More information on events in Calgary can be found online.
