Edmonton 
September 30th marks the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal Statutory holiday.
Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples Experience
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, it is a holiday in Edmonton, with the Edmonton Public Library and Edmonton Schools closed.
It is also a holiday in St. Albert and Strathcona County.
Here are some things to do in Edmonton to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
For all other events taking place this weekend, see Things to Do This Weekend in Edmonton
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Alberta Legislature Grounds
Join us at the reconciliation garden ‘Kihciy Maskikiy/Aakaakmotaani’ (Cree and Blackfoot words meaning ‘sacred medicine / save many people’) as we observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange shirt day. Wear orange to honour the survivors and the children who never returned home from residential schools, their families, and their communities. The event will feature guidance and prayer from an Elder, smudging, performances and speeches.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 2 PM to 3 PM
East Lawn, Legislature grounds, Edmonton
Free
Orange Shirt Day
In recognition of Orange Shirt Day, and in the name of Truth and Reconciliation, and the creation of an inclusive, safe space, TELUS World of Science – Edmonton is providing FREE Science Centre General Admission for Indigenous guests on September 30 and gives you the opportunity to participate in the special events including live entertainment and market. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TELUS World of Science – Edmonton, 11211 142 Street NW, Edmonton
Included with Science Centre Admission
FREE general admission for Indigenous guests
Royal Alberta Museum
Join the Royal Alberta Museum in honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Lance Cardinal, who will be visiting with a display of his miniature “St. Martin’s Catholic Mission School.” Lance will give an artist talk, and RAM will be screening “Miniature,” a short documentary that offers a glimpse into the creation of this moving piece. Details
Tuesday September 30, 2025 | 10 am – 4 pm
Royal Alberta Museum, 9810 103a Ave, Edmonton
Free with admission
Fort Edmonton Park
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to honour the children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, and their families.
In partnership with the City of Edmonton, the Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park will be open as a ticketed event on Tuesday, September 30, offering you an opportunity to learn the truths of Indigenous life before and after the formation of Canada.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 9:30 AM to 4 PM
Indigenous Peoples Experience – Fort Edmonton Park7000 143 St NW
Edmonton
Only the Indigenous Peoples Experience will be open. All other Fort Edmonton Park attractions will be closed.
Ages 12 & up: $5.00/guest
Ages 11 & under: FREE
West Edmonton Mall – NDTR
September 29 & 30, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Centre Stage, Level One, Phase I., WEM , Edmonton
Free
Truth and Reconciliation Film Screening and Author Talk
For Truth and Reconciliation Day, ESFF will be hosting a free community event with several local Indigenous artists. In partnership with Audreys Books, the Edmonton Short Film Festival will be hosting a community screening of local Indigenous short films along with talks from local Indigenous authors.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 4–6 PM
Audreys Books, 10702 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton
Free
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Stony Plain
Join us for a day of listening, reflection, action, and connection. Learn from the wisdom of an elder and feel the healing power of Indigenous drumming and dancing for this day of healing. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 10 AM to 12 PM.
Heritage Pavillion,
5100 41 Ave, Stony Plain
Free
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Strathcona County
Join Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and performers to learn about the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of Indigenous Peoples and honour those affected by residential schools. Activities include bannock sampling, complimentary hot chocolate and coffee, connection with Native Counselling Services of Alberta and Family and Community Services, and an Honour Walk around Broadmoor Lake Park in memory of the children who never returned home and survivors of the residential school system. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Festival Place, 100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park
Free
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – St Albert
Join us for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Mission Park this September 30 to honour the survivors of and the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Enjoy guest speakers, knowledge keepers, performers, local artisans, exhibits, and food vendors. Join others from the community for an Honour Walk from Mission Park to Kâkesimokamik/The Healing Garden. Details
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 12 PM to 4 PM
Mission Park, 15 Mission Avenue, St Albert
Free
Bent Arrow Presents Orange Shirt Day
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society will hold its event for The National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. This event offers a space to honour the experiences of Indigenous communities and engage in the ongoing journey toward healing. This year’s theme is: A Time to Listen.
Join us at 8:15am for entertainment, crafts and activities, keynote speakers, and reflections on the past and future of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 8:15 AM – 1:30 PM
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, 11648 85 Street Northwest, Edmonton
Free
Orange Shirt Day
Come together at Pimiy Ôcenas Nâtawîhowin Askiy (Devon Healing Medicine Grounds) to honour those who survived the residential school system and those who did not. Details
Tuesday, September 30 | 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Pimiy Ôcenas Nâtawîhowin Askiy (Devon Healing Medicine Grounds), 10 River Drive, Devon
Free
This meaningful cultural gathering is completely free and everyone is welcome to participate in this community celebration. Come together with us to honour Indigenous heritage through music, dance, and shared traditions. Details
October 4, 2025 | 3pm until midnight
South Cooking Lake Hall,
100 2nd Ave, Sherwood Park
Free
APTN National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
In honour of the 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.
Tuesday, September 30 | Various Hours
APTN Lumi or by watching APTN on your local TV network.
Free
Public Library
Read or get resources from Edmonton Public Library online (closed on Sept 30th).
- EPL’s Reading List to learn more about Indigenous Canada.
- 37 books by Indigenous writers: a booklist designed to help readers understand residential schools by Strathcona County Library
Learn More:
- Indigenous peoples and cultures
- Indigenous languages
- Indigenous history
- Residential Schools Recommended Reading for Adults & TeensResidential 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 & Art
Visit Art Galleries online to learn more about indigenous peoples’ way of life, their art and culture.
- Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre: Visit this art gallery to take in artworks by contemporary artists. (Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre, 10124 96 Street NW, Edmonton)
- Explore Edmonton’s Indigenous Art Park at ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ – Queen Elizabeth Park (10380 Queen Elizabeth Park Rd)
- Visit Healing Garden / Kâkesimokamik in St. Albert
- Rediscover Alberta from an Indigenous point of view.
- 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.
Being Prepared, Carol Kunnuk, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
You may like:
Indigenous-Owned Businesses in Edmonton
You can show your support for Canada’s Indigenous with visits to these businesses on September 30th and any time of the year.
What is Open-Closed
Malls, grocery stores: Open
Schools:
- Edmonton Public Schools and Catholic Schools: Closed
- University of Alberta: Closed
- MacEwan University: Closed
City of Edmonton Tourist Attractions:
All tourist attractions are open unless they are closed due to seasonal closure.
Libraries:
- Closed
Leisure/Recreational Facilities:
- Varies – Hours Vary from normal at select facilities.
- City recreation facilities will be operating under holiday hours with no registered programs.
- The aquatic centre at Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar remains closed until November 14. The rest of the facility is still open.
- The smaller leisure centres will be open with limited hours.
- Central Lions and Northgate Senior Centres are closed.
Edmonton Service Centre and 311
- The Edmonton Service Centre and 311 will be closed. After-hours services will be available for urgent bylaw or public safety concerns.
Edmonton Transit:
- Normal Service
- All school special bus routes are cancelled, including Route 622 and short Route 4 trips
Waster Services:
- All Eco Station locations will be closed.
- The Edmonton Waste Management Centre will be operating under holiday hours.
The Animal Care and Control Centre will be closed.
Although EPSB is honoring TRC – this day is a Saturday and EPSB is not giving a weekday off in lieu like ECSD and Blackgold School Division.
Your site is providing misinformation. EPSB is not honoring TRC with a day of closure. ECDS is and Blackgold school division is, but not EPSB. Why is this?? You should print a retraction or correction.
Please see here: https://www.epsb.ca/calendars/printablecalendars/. This year, Sept 30 is on a Saturday. It was a holiday in 2022 and 2021 and will be in 2024 (https://www.epsb.ca/media/epsb/calendars/EPSB_School_Year_Calendar_2024-25.pdf).