Calgary 
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the newest federal Statutory holiday.
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.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also a holiday for the Calgary public and Catholic school boards.
Here are some things to do in Calgary to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
Pokaiks – The Children Commemorative Walk & Gathering
Join the Pokaiks Reconciliation Society for its annual Pokaiks ‘The Children’ Commemorative Walk & Gathering honouring Indigenous children past, present and future on National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Peace Bridge (Eau Claire Park side) to Contemporary Calgary. , 701 11 St SW, Calgary
Free
Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence
As part of our ongoing mission of reconciliation and decolonization, The Confluence will be offering a variety of free programming all day.
Tuesday, September 30 | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, 750 9th 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.
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the National Music Centre presents a discussion on the power of music in reconciliation. Panelists include rapper Rex Smallboy (War Party), Curt Young, and Wendy Walker, who will share their thoughts on the topic and a short performance that supports the discussion. The panel will be hosted by Drezus — an Anishinaabe/Nêhiyaw artist based in Mohkínstsis.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 10 AM to 5 PM
Studio Bell, 850 4 Street SE, Calgary
Free
City of Calgary
Join us to commemorate Indian residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Remembering the Children. Enjoy presentations from various speakers, including the Mayor, Indigenous Elders and school board representatives. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Ave. S.E., Calgary
Free
Elders Story Project
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
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Jack Singer Concert Hall, 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Free
Indigenous Makers Market & Pow Wow Showcase
Join us in the lobby of the Jack Singer Concert Hall for a celebration of Indigenous art and culture at the Indigenous Makers Market, curated by Authentically Indigenous. The Makers Market will feature the creations of Indigenous artists and artisans from around Treaty 7 and beyond, as well as performances by Indigenous dancers and drummers during a mini Pow Wow showcase. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 11 AM to 1 PM.
Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby, Calgary
Free
Stolen Kainai Children: Stories of Survival Travelling Exhibition
Elisapie is an Inuk singer-songwriter, actor, and activist born and raised in Salluit, a small village in Nunavik (the northern region of Quebec). Integrating Inuit themes and language with rock music, she makes her culture resonate with finesse by mixing modernity and tradition. Details
September 30 to November 5, 2025
The Confluence Historic Site & Parklands, 750 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
Free to $40
Spirit of Reconciliation Activation
September 15 to 30, 2025
Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Road SE, Calgary
Free
TELUS Spark
Guided by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s 6 actions of ReconciliACTION, this programming will explore ancestral land, Residential Schools and Indian Day Schools, the 94 Calls to Action, and reconciliation journeys. In the spirit of reconciliation, programming will be led by Settlers. Details
Monday, September 29, 2025, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm,
Telus Spark, Calgary
Free to Regular Admission
For all other events taking place this weekend, see Things to Do This Weekend in Calgary
We Are All Treaty People
“We Are All Treaty People,” follows the story of a Trickster who meets two young girls: one of Aboriginal descent and one of colonial descent. As the girls question whether they can be friends, the Trickster recounts the story of Treaty 7, including the context of its signing, the promises made and broken, and the ongoing challenges we face today. Details
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 | 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm & 6:30 pm
The Confluence Historic Site & Parklands, 750 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
Free
You might like:
- Must Visit Indigenous Culture and Heritage in Alberta
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.
September 30 | Various Hours
APTN Lumi or by watching APTN on your local TV network.
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 the Treaty 7 territory.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 12 PM to 5 PM
Central, Crowfoot, Fish Creek, Forest Lawn, Judith Umbach, Saddletowne, Seton, Shawnessy, Signal Hill, and Village Square libraries.
Free
A Conversation with Angela Sterritt
Join Dr. Michael Hart with Angela Sterritt, award-winning author from the Gitxsan Nation. Sterritt’s bestselling novel “Unbroken” investigates cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Remarks by Dr. Ed McCauley, Sarah Meilleur, and Elder Reg Crowshoe. Event takes place at Rosza Centre, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, University of Calgary.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Rosza Centre, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, UCalgary
Free
Calgary Area Indigenous-Owned Businesses to Support
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, 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
(This will 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.
City of Calgary Tourist Attractions:
Most tourist attractions are open unless closed due to seasonal closure (closed for fall/winter season like Heritage Park).
Telus Spark – Closed.
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Libraries:
- Select locations – open – Locations
Leisure/Recreational Facilities:
- All Arenas – closed
- Indoor pools and fitness centres – closed
- Calgary Soccer Centre – closed
- North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres – closed
- Animal Services Centre – closed
- Golf Courses – Open
Landfill:
Parking:
- Enjoy free parking in on-street ParkPlus zones on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Weekend rates apply at all Calgary Parking parkades and surface lots. Please note that regular rates will be in effect at partner lots such as TELUS Spark, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Zoo and Heritage Park.
- The Calgary Parking Contact Centre and Impound Lot will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Transit:
- On Tuesday, Sept. 30, buses and CTrains will be operating on a modified Saturday level of service, in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On Demand will continue providing regular weekday service.
