Calgary 
September 30 marks the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the newest federal Statutory holiday.
Truth and Reconciliation Art Installation/Credit: Southcentre Mall
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to reflect on the impacts of residential schools, honour survivors of residential schools, their families, their communities and all of those who never made it home, and learn more about the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples.
Though Alberta does not recognize it as a provincial holiday, the city of Calgary has declared September 30 a holiday for all City employees.
Here are some things to do in Calgary to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
Pokaiks Commemorative Walk
The walk will be followed by traditional drumming and dancing performances, remarks from members of the Indigenous community, artisan and community booths, food and beverage offerings, and other engaging activities, bringing further awareness to actions Calgarians can take to participate in reconciliation. Details
September 30, 2023 | 11 AM – 4 PM
City Hall to Shaw Millennium Park, 1220 9 Ave SW, Calgary
Free
Transit: Four buses, wrapped in Orange Shirt Day colours, showcasing local Indigenous artist Kristy North Peigan, will be on-site at Fort Calgary on Saturday, Sept. 30. The buses will be used as a shuttle service between Fort Calgary, Prince’s Island Park, Shaw Millennium Park and Olympic Plaza.
Orange Shirt Day at Fort Calgary
Fort Calgary will be offering a variety of free programming all day, including:
-Free museum admission
-Two walking tours
-Family-friendly crafts
-An after-hours screening of the film “Bones of Crows” with guest speaker Michelle Thrush.
Saturday September 30, 2023 | 10 am – 5 pm
Fort Calgary, 750 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Free
Free Admission Studio Bell
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC), will be open with free admission on September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
NMC will present a discussion on the power of music for reconciliation, hosted by David McLeod, curator of the National Music Centre’s Speak Up! exhibition that recognizes trailblazing Indigenous musicians.
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 10 AM to 5 PM
Studio Bell, 850 4 Street SE, Calgary
Free
NDTR – Elders Story Project
The 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation marks the first public event for the Elders Story Project (ESP). During this powerful event, Elders will share their personal stories about their residential school experiences and their healing journeys, while demonstrating the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples and the power of their traditional practices. Details
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Jack Singer Concert Hall, 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Free
Truth and Reconciliation Art Installation
This commemorative installation will feature four pieces of art each from seven participating artists, representing personal experiences and interpretations of Indigenous culture and the ongoing process of reconciliation. Details
September 18-30, 2023
Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Road SE
Free
For all other events taking place this weekend, see Things to Do This Weekend in Calgary
Indigenous Blanket Exercise
The Blanket Exercise is an opportunity to learn about the Indigenous people’s experiences of colonization. Elders and knowledge keepers developed the blanket exercise to create an experiential learning tool to narrate the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in a Canadian context. The exercise includes storytelling, dialogue, as well as references to “These Mountains Are Our Sacred Places – The Story of the Stoney People” written by Chief John Snow.
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 3 PM to 5 PM
Edgemont Community Association, 33 Edgevallery Cir NW, Calgary
Free
O’KOSI (oh-goh-see)
O’kosi depicts the ways in which Indigenous People are healing from the multi-dimensional and multi-generational effects of the Indian Act and the signing of Treaty 7, and how the repercussions of these policies have been passed to parents, sons, and daughters. Set in Mohkinstsis from 1877 to 2077, O’kosi imagines a shift toward breaking colonial systems, reuniting families, and healing communities. It is a love letter between parent and child, brought to life by celebrated director Michelle Thrush and a talented cast of Blackfoot actors. Details
September 21 to 30, 2023
The GRAND, 608 1 St SW, Calgary
$20 to $60
NDTR – NFB Film Screenings
Arts Commons will screen films that provide insight into Indigenous history, culture, and traditions, to celebrate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The National Film Board is Canada’s public producer and distributor, with a vast and growing collection of works (over 13,000) that include award-winning creative documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories, and participatory experiences. Details
Saturday September 30, 2023 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Engineered Air Theatre, 234 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Free
Indigenous Showcase & Market
Love arts markets but tired of seeing the same offerings? Well, you’re going to love this one! Join us for a celebration of Indigenous art and culture at the Indigenous Makers Market, curated by Four Winds YYC The Makers Market will feature the creations of Indigenous artists and artisans from around Treaty 7 and beyond, as well as live performances. Details
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 12:00 PM until 6:30 PM
Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby, 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Free
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- Must Visit Indigenous Culture and Heritage in Alberta
From Exclusion to Inclusion Photo Exhibit
Take a journey with this historical photo exhibit showcasing 100 years of Chinese in Canada. Learn more about the influence that the Chinese had on Canada in the seminar offerings of food, acupuncture, and Chinese traditional medicine in sport and business. Details
September 30 to October 8, 2023
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, 197 – 1st Street SW, Calgary
Free
Bones of Crows – Films at the Fort
This film is being screened as part of our Films at the Fort – Indigenous Films series. Each movie features Indigenous actors and themes, and are created by Canadian filmmakers.
BONES OF CROWS (18A)
Forced into residential school, Aline Spears and her siblings are plunged into a fight for survival that shapes their family for generations. Details
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Fort Calgary, 750 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
Free
The Witness Blanket
Calgary Public Library is hosting The Witness Blanket, a large-scale art installation created by master carver Carey Newman or Hayalthkin’geme (Ha-yalth-kingeme). The Witness Blanket — a symbol of resilience and Reconciliation — is inspired by the motifs in woven blankets and made up of hundreds of items reclaimed from Residential Schools, churches, government buildings, and traditional and cultural structures from across Canada.
Each piece included in the installation holds deep historical and emotional significance, representing the experiences of Indigenous children who attended Residential Schools, as well as the ongoing impact on their families and communities.
Level 4 of Central Library in the Simmons-Harvie Community Living Room
Free
APTN National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
In honour of the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), APTN, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation will join forces to produce a 90-minute multilingual commemoration. The gathering will be broadcast live across the country from Parliament Hill, on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.
Saturday, September 30 | Various Hours
APTN Lumi or by watching APTN on your local TV network.
Free
Telus Spark NDTR
Spark Indigenous Advisory Circle will offer special programming all day to honour and support learning, connection and ReconciliAction.
Saturday, September 30 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Telus Spark, Calgary
$26; FREE for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples
UCalgary National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day
In the spirit of reconciliation, UCalgary is offering a series of learning opportunities to the campus community in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day.
September 29, 2023 | Various
Evening Film Screening of Beans: September 29, 2023 | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm @ Central Library – Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall
Various locations, UCalgary
Free
Indigenous Placemaking Tour
Learn more about traditional and contemporary art installations by Indigenous artists at Central Library that promote understanding of Indigenous Peoples and cultures within Treaty 7 territory.
Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 1 – 2 p.m.
Central Library – Level 1 – Shaikh Family Welcome Gallery, Calgary
Free
Calgary Area Indigenous-Owned Businesses to Support
The Indigenous-owned businesses you will see in Calgary cover various ways you can learn and support others, adventure out into the wild, and ways to treat yourself. Details
Calgary Public Library
Read or get resources from Calgary Public Library in-person or online. — Details
Learn More:
- White Goose Flying Report
- Indigenous peoples and cultures
- Indigenous languages
- Indigenous history
- Residential Schools Recommended Reading for Adults & Teens
- Residential Schools Recommended Reading for Children
Wear Orange
September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day, which is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Details
Exhibitions & Movies
Visit Art Galleries to learn more about indigenous peoples’ way of life, their art and culture.
Learn more about indigenous history and the history and legacy of residential schools through movies for free on the National Film Board of Canada website.
nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (52 minutes), Tasha Hubbard, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
Explore Calgary with IndigiTRAILS
IndigiTRAILS is a free app available on Apple and Android devices. The app uses GPS or location services to allow audiences to participate in digital art galleries and other future activities within Calgary. Details
What is Open-Closed
(To be updated following the City of Calgary media release.)
September 30th is a federal statutory holiday. All federally regulated companies and Crown-owned corporations like Service Canada, banks, Canada Post etc.: Closed
- City of Calgary offices: Closed
- Malls, grocery stores: Open
Schools & Universities:
- Closed.
- Calgary School Board Closed on September 29.
- The University of Calgary Closed on October 2.
City of Calgary Tourist Attractions:
Most tourist attractions are open unless closed due to seasonal closure (closed for fall/winter season).
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Libraries:
- Closed – Locations
Leisure/Recreational Facilities:
- Indoor pools and fitness centres and leisure centres, select arenas, arts centres, and Calgary Soccer Centre will be closed.
- Glenmore Reservoir kayak & canoe rentals open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- A free public skate will be offered at Rose Kohn / Jimmie Condon arenas (502 Heritage Drive S.W.) and Stu Hendry / Henry Viney arenas (814 13 Avenue N.E.) on Sept. 30, 2023, from 1 – 2:15 p.m.
Landfill:
Parking:
- On Saturday, Sept. 30 on-street parking is free. Our Contact Centre and Impound Lot will be closed.
Transit:
On Saturday, Sept. 30, Calgary Transit will be operating buses, CTrains and On Demand on a Sunday level of service. On Monday, Oct. 2, all services will be running normally.
