National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2026
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. It is an opportunity to reflect on the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, listen to Indigenous voices, continue learning, and consider our role in reconciliation.
HSCA will be closed in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with the exception of the Farmers’ Market, which will operate from 3–7 pm. We encourage our community to take time to reflect, learn, and honour the significance of the day.
Below are resources for continued learning and a selection of events taking place in Calgary. This is not a complete list, and we encourage you to visit event organizers directly for the most current information.
Resources
There is support available to anyone who has been directly or indirectly impacted by residential schools.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society: Toll-Free Line 1 800 721 0066
24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1 866 925 4419
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness: Help Line 1 855 242 3310
Learning and Reflection
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR): Learn about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and explore educational resources to support continued learning and reconciliation. The NCTR’s education section includes public learning materials and a large collection of teaching resources.
Orange Shirt Society (Learning Resources): Survivor-informed resources for homes, classrooms and communities, including guides, activities and videos about residential schools and Orange Shirt Day.
The Calgary Public Library- Resources and information to support continued learning about truth and reconciliation
National Film Board's (NFB) Indigenous Cinema page- explore the NFB’s collection of Indigenous-made films.
The Calgary Foundation’s Indigenous Ally Toolkit- Information and resources to support learning and relationship-building around reconciliation. The current Calgary Foundation reconciliation page links through to its Treaty 7 Indigenous Ally Toolkit.
Calgary Events for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Please visit the organizer’s website to verify details on events listed below.
City of Calgary – Orange Shirt Day Ceremony
September 30, 9–10:30am at The Confluence Historic Site & ParklandNational Day for Truth and Reconciliation at The Confluence
September 30, 10am–5 pm. Free educational programming focused on reconciliation and decolonization.Pokaiks: The Children — National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, beginning with the Reconciliation Walk at 11 am., followed by programming at Contemporary Calgary.National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Werklund Centre
September 30, with an Indigenous Makers Market, Pow Wow Showcase and Elders Story Project.In Conversation with Maria Campbell — Calgary Public Library (Central Library)
Sept 30, 5pm-7:30pm. A free National Day for Truth and Reconciliation program with Métis author, Elder and storyteller Maria Campbell, exploring Métis history, resilience, truth and reconciliation.In Conversation with Chief Wilton Littlechild — Calgary Public Library / UCalgary
Sept 30, 12:30pm. A program with Chief Wilton Littlechild, residential school Survivor and former Truth and Reconciliation Commission commissioner, in partnership with UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement.
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day also takes place on September 30. The movement grew from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken from her when she entered residential school as a six-year-old child. Orange Shirt Day was created in 2013 as a way to open conversations about residential schools and honour Survivors and their families.
Wearing orange is one way to recognize the day and affirm that Every Child Matters. We encourage community members to learn more directly from the Indigenous-led, Survivor-founded Orange Shirt Society and explore its educational resources.
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