National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, September 30
September marks the time of year when Indigenous children were forced to leave home to attend residential schools. Orange Shirt Day was a movement started by Survivor Phyllis Webstad to commemorate when her clothes, including her brand new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother, were taken away on her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in British Columbia. She was just six years old. Orange Shirt Day is now an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day honouring the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and the resiliency of their communities.
The Government of Canada has proclaimed September 30 a statutory holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, beginning in 2021. This proclamation addresses one of the 94 calls to action of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (https://nctr.ca/records/reports/): “We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal 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.”
As an organization, SaskMusic supports and offers resources for our staff to listen, learn and reflect upon the stories of residential school survivors and Canada’s colonial history, and is engaging in ongoing anti-racism training for our staff and board. We are consciously reviewing our programming, seeking to improve accessibility and value for Indigenous artists and industry.
SEPTEMBER 30 EVENTS - Saskatchewan
Please click the links noted for detailed information.
Culture Days: Saskatchewan-based events recognizing Truth and Reconciliation can be found at https://culturedays.ca/en/events?tags=truth-reconciliation&province=sk
Saskatoon
- Reconciliation Saskatoon’s "Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation starts with a pancake breakfast hosted by Central Urban Métis Federation (CUMFI) in front of their office (315 Avenue M). At 10am, the walk starts from CUMFI to the “Where Our Paths Cross” art installation at Reconciliation Circle in Victoria Park. A program with remarks and artist performances will be held.
- Saskatoon Tribal Council hosts a pow wow 12-5pm and a concert by George Canyon starting at 7pm, both at SaskTel Centre.
- Saskatoon Indian Métis Friendship Centre events begin at the Centre with a pipe ceremony at 5pm, followed by a walk, teepee raising, and candlelight vigil
- The City of Saskatoon hosts hoop dancing, Metis jigging and storytelling at Cosmo Civic Centre from 1-4pm.
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park programming 10am-4pm will include keynote speakers, walks, dance, poetry, art, music, traditional teachings and demonstrations and round dance.
Regina
- Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty hosts a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event from 10-12pm at Government House, including elder John Stonechild delivering the blessing and performance of hip hop music and storytelling by Brad Bellegarde.
- Reconciliation Regina will have flags and posters set up in Victoria Park. The Circle Project will hold a memorial walk and event in City Square Plaza from 10am-1pm.
- The Eagle Heart Centre hosts a Walk for Truth and Reconciliation starting at 10:45am at 1102 Angus St. BBQ to follow.
- The Regina Public Library Central Branch has an in-person and online event starting at 12pm with elder May Desnomie, author Lisa Wilson-Bird and jingle dancer Kiana Francis;
- Royal Saskatchewan Museum: Brad Bellegarde and residential school survivor Tim Poitras in conversation about the legacy of residential schools at 2:30-3:30pm, along with a performance. (Sold out).
Moose Jaw
- Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association is hosting a 2-day powwow and gathering in partnership with other organizations in Moose Jaw. Pow wow grounds open 11am at Kiwanis River Park. Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1146335532655757/?active_tab=discussion
Last Mountain Lake
- The Last Mountain Lake Cultural Centre is hosting a Community Round Dance at 5pm.
Nipawin
- Reconciliation Nipawin is hosting a walk for Truth and Reconciliation from 1pm, town square.
Lloydminster
- The Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre is hosting "Coming Together and Walking Together" from 1-3pm at the Centre. A community walk led by Hand Drums, Songs of Healing and Jingle Dress Dancers representing Healing and Wellness.
Yorkton
- Yorkton Tribal Council will host events, with registration at their office at 9am followed by a walk, speakers, lunch, and performers.
Prince Albert
- The Prince Albert Urban Indigenous Coalition with Prince Albert Grand Council Health and community partners present a community barbecue and events, 11am-1pm. On the riverbank near the Sisters in Spirit Monument.
Battlefords
- Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre is hosting "Every Child Matters, Truth and Reconciliation event" with performers, balloon release and lunch, 1030am-130pm.
- Sunchild Law 10th Annual Commemorative Battleford Industrial School Cemetery Walk begins at 11am, meeting at the Ridge, south of Battleford.
Ile à la Crosse
- The Ile à la Crosse Friendship Centre hosts a day of events starting at 8:30 am at the Sakitawak Events Centre, including a pancake breakfast, smudge ceremony, supper and release of lanterns.
La Ronge
- Kikinahk Friendship Centre is hosting a pancake breakfast at the centre, 7-10am.
Our apologies if we have missed any events.
NATIONAL NOTES & RESOURCES
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
https://nctr.ca
Government of Canada information
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
Culture Days
Culture Days events across Canada, https://culturedays.ca/
Orange Shirt Day
www.orangeshirtday.org
APTN
https://www.aptntv.ca/ndtr/rtc/
In partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, APTN will be holding a special one-hour commemorative gathering at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa ON, which will air simultaneously across all APTN channels, at 1pm Eastern on September 30. The gathering will feature a mixture of personal remembrances from Residential, Day and Boarding school Survivors and their families, artistic performances, teachings about history, and calls for the ongoing protection of Indigenous families.
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Starwalker will air September 30, 8pm ET on APTN HD & APTN e, 8pm MT on APTN w, and 8pm CT on APTN n. This special is a musical celebration of iconic singer-songwriter, Buffy Sainte-Marie. In addition to a performance from Buffy and her band, those she has mentored take the stage to honour her life’s work as a musician, visual artist, activist and composer.
CBC Programming September 30
CBC will feature 'an extensive lineup of Indigenous-led original programming showcasing First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences across CBC, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, CBC Kids, CBC Radio One, CBC Listen and CBC Music.'
https://www.cbc.ca/arts/how-to-watch-and-listen-to-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-2022-on-cbc-1.6595830
A Day To Listen
https://downiewenjack.ca/a-day-to-listen/
On September 30, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund will partner with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada for programming airing 6AM–6PM local time.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society; donations
www.irsss.ca
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society emotional support and assistance: Toll free 24 hours 1-800-721-0066
- First Nations Health Authority - residential schools resource page, https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/mental-wellness-and-substance-use/residential-schools.
- Hope for Wellness Helpline: 24 hours 1-855-242-3310. Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut. You can also connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
LEARNING RESOURCES
The following is not intended to be a comprehensive list.
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (PDF)
- Indigenous Canada | University of Alberta (free course, approximately 21 hours)
- The Path: Indigenous Cultural Competency
- Guide to Indigenous Relations, from Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
- Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
- Interactive First Peoples Land Map
- Every Child Matters: Honouring the Missing Children - a library guide listing educational and scholarly resources https://libguides.uvic.ca/missingchildren
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation video resources
- Panel Discussion: The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Calls to Action, presented by sākihiwē festival x CARE: Canadian Artists For Reconciliation And Education (2021 video)
- Indigenous Is Not a Genre: Indigenous Perspectives on the Music Industry presented by Manitoba Music and Indigenous Music West (2021 video)
- It's Our Time - Residential Schools Toolkit, Assembly of First Nations
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Anishinabek Nation: online student program
- Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada - Chief Robert Joseph shares his experience as a residential school survivor and the importance of truth and reconciliation in Canada (2021 video)
- Where the Spirit Lives (2017 film drama)
- Reports gathered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- On Canada Project: SettlersTake Action - resource guide
- Kanata: Contemporary Indigenous Artists and Their Music, a learning resource from MusiCounts to support teachers in bringing Indigenous voices, perspectives, and music into classrooms.
- We Were Children, National Film Board of Canada (film)