Resources & activities in and around Edmonton for Truth and Reconciliation Day

(September 30) – Below is a list of some of the events that Edmonton Homeward Trust compiled that are happening around the city of Edmonton along with suggestions for how one might want to engage in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day.

• Join an online Cree language class – hosted through the Edmonton public library. Go to epl.ca to check it out.
• Participate in the Orange Shirt Day walk/run: hosted by Anita Cardinal and Adam Erasmus (Indigenous Runners group) Please join for a Run/Walk in support and awareness of those who did not survive the Residential school era and for those who did. This event aims to raise funds for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and local grassroots movements. It will begin with ceremony and words from our elders at the Indigenous Art Park at 3:00 pm and will start at the Kinsmen Park area at 4:00 pm. This will be a combination of pavement and trail run through the beautiful YEG river valley trails to Hawrelak Park and back and includes three distances of 5 & 10 km and a kids 2.15 km race at the same location. You can register HERE
• Register yourself for a FREE Indigenous studies course (MOOC) given by the University of Alberta. It is given online so you can take it from ANYWHERE. It is an amazing way to become part of making a better future and society. uab.ca/indigenous-canada

 

• Attend the Bent Arrow Orange Shirt Day activities live on Facebook. The day will include an honour song, Smudge and prayer, a sharing of Residential School Survivors stories, a Talking Circle and crafts.

 

• Check out what’s happening at MacEwan University:  kihêw waciston would like to hold space and offer support for anyone who wishes to join together in healing as we honor all those who have been affected by Residential Schools, including survivors and the children who never made it home. Programming for the day will include (weather permitting):
  • Sacred fire tipi all day, located outside kihêw waciston, between Robbins Health Learning Centre and Allard Hall
  • Wellness Circle and all-day support with Elders
  • Live-mural: painting together to create a community piece
  • Artist session: Nataanii Means and Antoine Edwards Jr.
  • Boxed lunches available for students

• Attend the All My Relations: Healing in community event hosted by Clair-i-tea (8118 Gateway Blvd – tickets are $10.00) This circle will be held by Chauntelle Atcheynum, a Neyihaw (Plains Cree) woman from Sweetgrass First Nations in Saskatchewan on the Treaty No. 6 Territory. Chauntelle is a spiritual healer and teacher, as well as a visionary artist. She is the founder of Mamawi Creations, a creative offering of Indigenous Beadwork for healing and sacred connection. She is also the founder of All My Relations, a conscious movement of Healing and Awakening with a vision of Reconciliation that begins within the Heart.

 

• Join the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society in honouring Orange Shirt Day and recognizing the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, no matter where you are! The Caring Society has partnered with the Assembly of Seven Generations, Project of Heart and Beechwood Cemetery to bring together a day of education, reflection, and action towards reconciliation and to honour residential school survivors & victims. Activities include book readings, film screenings, Reconciling History walking tour led by guides including historian John Malloy, and an action table where you can participate! Open to all ages and is accessible to all! You can register HERE

 

• Join the Town of Devon on September 30 as they come together to remember those who have survived the residential school system, and those who did not. *As the Devon Community Centre is under the Restrictions Exemption Program, proof of vaccination or exemption will be required for everyone 12+ to attend the Devon Community Centre activities*
  • Schedule
  • Community Walk – 1-2 p.m.
  • We will be starting the day off with a community walk led by hand drums and songs of healing. This walk will start around 1 p.m. at the Town of Devon Municpial Office, and will end at the Devon Community Center (approx. 45 minutes).
  • Create your own Orange Shirt – 2-8 p.m.
  • From 2-8 p.m., we invite everyone to the Devon Community Centre to pick-up an Orange Shirt and design it with their own messages and imagery to show their support for Indigenous Peoples who have been impacted by the Residential School System.
  • Guest Presentations – 3 p.m.
  • Starting at 3 p.m. they will be inviting guests to speak about resiliency and the impacts of the Residential School System, systemic racism and healing.
  • Everyone is welcome to attend, and everyone is asked to please follow all COVID health guidelines, including hand-sanitizing, masking and physical distancing.
  • Questions? Contact Mitch @ 587-597-0691 or email him at MWincentaylo@devon.ca

 

• APTN will be offering a full day of programming to raise awareness about the significance and meaning of NDT&R.  It will include special coverage in honour of residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. For the full broadcast schedule view HERE

 

• Join in with the Indigenous Writers Panel as they discuss ‘Literature on intergenerational trauma and healing’.  Eden Robinson, Richard Van Camp and Lee Maracle will share their literature on intergenerational trauma and Indigenous resilience. The panel will be moderated by Dr.Michael Hard, University of Calgary’s Vice-Provost (Indigenous Engagement), with an opening prayer by Stoney Nakoda Elder Una Wesley and reflective remarks from Sarah Meilleur, the Calgary Public Library’s interim CEO.

 

• The Downie Wenjack Fund will be hosting a discussion in reflection of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: exploring what this means for Reconciliation in Canada. In anticipation of the newly established federal holiday, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – many people in Canada have been wondering what this day means. DWF President and CEO, Sarah Midanik will be hosting a discussion to explore this new holiday, the significance of September 30, what this means for reconciliation in Canada, and how we can participate meaningfully.

 

• Online videos/resources/events from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation