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. This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.
The kind of ceremonies taking place on September 30th depend on the province. There is no set standard, although orange shirts remain a powerful symbol. This is a time to learn from our province’s history and hopefully take steps to improve our current society.
The following events take place in the Lower Mainland on or close to September 30th in 2022.
Intergenerational March for Orange Shirt Day – the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Canada holds an educational march on the UBC campus on September 30th. It runs from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm in 2022.
Britannia Community Services Centre – an Orange Shirt Day gathering with lunch, crafts and more. It happens at the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre and Grandview Park between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm on September 30th.
Community Gathering at Trout Lake – the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society and Trout Lake Community Centre host an Orange Shirt Day event with drumming, singing, and storytelling. It happens on September 30th between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
Orange Shirt Day at Templeton Welcome Garden – an Orange Shirt Day event on September 30th from 2:00 until 5:00 pm. It features speakers, music and garden tours at 700 Templeton Drive. Admission is free.
In addition to the above, the Museum of Vancouver offers special admission this year. On September 30th in 2022, all visitors wearing an orange shirt enter the museum for free.
In addition to the above events in the City of Vancouver, there are also other events online and in the municipalities of Coquitlam, Delta, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Port Moody, Surrey, White Rock and elsewhere. See below for details.
Building Local Relationships Workshop – in partnership with the Indigenous Perspectives Society, the BC Non-Profit Housing Association hosts an educational webinar from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on September 20th (so 10 days prior to National Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2022).
Be the Change You Want to See – a free workshop about National Truth and Reconciliation Day at Place des Arts at 1120 Brunette Avenue. The event runs from 1:00 until 3:00 pm. Admission is free, but online registration in advance is recommended.
Blanket Exercise – this free event takes place on two different days at three different times and venues. It happens on Friday, September 30th, at Hawthorne Grove Park at the Harris Barn at 4140 Arthur Drive between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. On the same day it takes place from 6:00 until 9:00 pm at North Delta Recreation Centre at 11415 – 84th Avenue. The activity also happens on Saturday, October 1st, from 9:00 am until noon at South Delta Recreation Centre at 1720 56th Street. Admission is free, but space is limited and you need to book your spot in advance.
We Stand With You – an event hosted by the Fraser River Indigenous Society at Memorial Peace Park at 11930 – 224th Street between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on September 30th. The free event features drumming, bannock and family-friendly activities.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – the Spirit of the Children Society hosts a pipe ceremony at Westminster Pier Park at # 1 – 6th Street on Friday, September 30th. The ceremony runs from 3:00 until 4:00 pm. After that, between 4:00 and 6:00 pm, there are free family-friendly activities.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – three documentary films show at the Port Moody Station Museum at 2734 Murray Street between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. E-mail info@portmoodymuseum.org to reserve your spot.
Skookum Surrey National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – an event with drumming, tea and bannock at Holland Park at 13428 Old Yale Road on Friday, September 30, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.
Walk for Reconciliation – a flag-raising ceremony takes place outside White Rock City Hall on September 30th at 10:00 am. Later, in the afternoon, between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, a Walk for Truth and Reconciliation begins at the Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Memorial Plaza and makes its way to the Spirit Park stage.
*Events were provided by Vancouver Best Places.
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