Top 10 Events for Truth and Reconciliation Day in Edmonton and Calgary

Truth and Reconciliation Day, Canada’s newest statutory holiday, is this coming Monday.

There are lots of cool activities happening in both Edmonton and Calgary. We did a roundup of some of the events that are most worth checking out. All of the events happen on Monday unless otherwise noted. 

Not feeling like going out to an event today? Or are you like us and prefer to use Mondays to recharge your social battery? Scroll to the bottom to find four ongoing or individual activities you can do to mark the day. 

Edmonton

1. From 4-6 PM, go to Audrey’s Books for a film screening and discussion with local Indigenous authors. Four short films will be screened in collaboration with the Edmonton Short Film Festival. In between each screening, a local Indigenous author will share an excerpt from one of their books. 

2. The Creating Hope Society is hosting a full day’s worth of events at the Metro Cinema, all free to the first 500 people who come. Go there for a pipe ceremony at 11 AM, a documentary screening at noon, or a round dance at 5:00 PM.

3. On Sunday, Sept 29, go to the Art Gallery of Alberta for a beading circle from 12-4 PM or a movie screening at 2 PM. Admission for these events is by donations – just show up at the door on and pay what you can.  

4. The Indigenous People’s Experience will be running at Fort Edmonton Park. They’re running a dizzying, all-day lineup of activities, including performances by Inuit artists, a dancing and drumming performance, and a presentation on maintaining spiritual or sacred items. Visit their website for a full list of events and to see the schedule. While the event isn’t free, the Fort will reduce its admission from $20 to $5 per person for the day. 

5. Walk alongside Residential School survivors in the Standing Together Orange Shirt Community Walk. The group will meet at Mary Burlie Park at noon and walk 1.3 kilometres to Giovanni Caboto Park. All participants will receive orange shirts and lunch. Everyone is welcome. 

DID YOU KNOW? The government of Canada first declared Truth and Reconciliation Day a holiday in 2021. Creating a national holiday was one of the 94 calls to action that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published in 2015. Most of the calls to action have not yet been put in place, according to the Indigenous Watchdog. 

Calgary 

1. On Sept 29, tour the historical village at Heritage Park to learn more about Residential Schools and listen to survivors. Tickets are $34.95 for adults and $22.95 for kids. 

2. The National Music Center is opening its doors to the public free of charge between 10 AM and 5 PM on Monday. Go to level three and take in the “Speak Up!” exhibition, where you’ll learn about three Indigenous musicians and their contributions to the Canadian music scene. At noon, listen to Elder Eldon Weasel Child talk about his perspectives on reconciliation. 

3. The Calgary Public Library is hosting two days of events for Truth and Reconciliation Day. Go to Rozsa Center at the University of Calgary on September 29 at 6:30 PM to see the movie Bones of Crows. On Sept 30 at 1 PM, participate in an Indigenous Placemaking Tour, where you’ll learn about various Indigenous art installations. 

4. Go to the Arts Commons for three different events. From 12-4 PM, check out the Indigenous Makers Market. At 2 and 4 PM, take a free 45-minute tour with Indigenous artists. Finally, at 6:30 PM head to the Jack Singer Concert Hall to listen to the Elders Story Project, where you’ll hear stories of trauma, resilience, and healing. 

5. Walk around downtown Calgary and take in murals painted by Indigenous artists through the Bump Mural Festival. 

You aren’t feeling up to going to an event on the 30th? Here are four other suggestions for ways to mark Truth and Reconciliation Day:

1. Explore the First Languages website and learn about the languages of the original stewards of the land on which you live. 

2. Donate to groups and initiatives supporting reconciliation and helping Indigenous peoples heal. Indigenous Youth Roots and the Native Counseling Services of Alberta are great options. 

3. Watch films made by Indigenous people. Head to the National Film Board of Canada’s website and search “Indigenous” under the subjects category at the bottom of the page to find dozens of excellent options. 

4. Sign up to get Indigenous news in your email inbox every day.