National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025

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. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

September 30th marks the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and an important day for all of us. This day provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the harmful legacy of residential schools. We encourage you to make time for discussion, for learning, or participation in local events to bring further awareness and relationship building with Indigenous community members. We’ve included a list of resources and events around the city. HSCA will be closed for programming and operations on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Resources

There is support available to anyone who has been directly or indirectly impacted by residential schools. 


Calgary Events for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 26–30, 2025

Please visit the organizer’s website to verify details on events listed below.

Friday, September 26, 2025
Every Child Matters – Genesis Centre

  • Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

  • Location: Genesis Centre Commons, 7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE

  • Details: Community gathering to honor Indigenous children and families, featuring cultural performances and speakers.

  • More info: https://www.calgary.ca/events/orange-shirt-day.html

Saturday, September 27, 2025
Spirit of Reconciliation – Southcentre Mall

Monday, September 29, 2025
Film Screening: Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

City of Calgary – Orange Shirt Day Ceremony

Heritage Park – Truth and Reconciliation: Together as One

Pokaiks Reconciliation Walk & Gathering

Werklund Centre – NDTR Programming

The Road to Truth – Stardale Women’s Group

Please note that HSCA will be closed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, for programming and operations.

Orange Shirt Day

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

If you are looking to purchase an orange shirt, you’ll want to ensure that the retailer you chose is sending all profits to the Orange Shirt Society or another Indigenous organization. Unfortunately, some retailers are taking advantage of the opportunity to sell orange shirts and are doing so at their own profit. Moonstone Creations is a great local, Indigenous owned business and they have shirts in stock!