Winnipeg 
Survivors’ Flag by National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th 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.
Here are some things to do in Winnipeg to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
You might like: 10 Ways to Experience Indigenous Culture and Heritage in Manitoba
And a current runs through me…: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Shorts Program
“And a current runs through me…” is a series of six short films connected through their relationship to transmission. From the digital transference of archival footage to the transgenerational effects of colonial genocide, each film in the series expands upon the idea of what a body might carry – transgressively, tenderly, and transformatively. Presented in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this series features works by Indigenous filmmakers Sonya Ballantyne, Jennifer Dysart, the Ephemerals, Chanelle Lajoie, Caroline Monnet, and Charlene Moore. This collection of films by Métis, Cree, and Anishinaabe women and gender non-conforming artists weaves a variety Details
Saturday September 30, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Dave Barber Cinematheque, 100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg
free
National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
NCTR provides Free Virtual Educational Program for Grades 1-12. Details
September 25 – 29, 2023
Online
Free
APTN National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
September 30th marks an important day for APTN as we broadcast special programs in honour of the survivors of residential, day, and boarding schools, alongside their families and the children who were never able to return home. APTN will be offering programming throughout the day to raise awareness about the significance and meaning of NDT&R. Details
September 30, 2023, 1 PM
APTN
Free
Orange Shirt Days @ the Manitoba Museum
Orange Shirt Days @ the Manitoba Museum feature special, all-day programming in the Museum Galleries focused on the history of Indian Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. There will be a special schedule in the Planetarium for Orange Shirt Days. Details
September 30 – October 2, 2023
The Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Ave, Winnipeg
Free admission
Orange Shirt Giveaway
ANISH Corp. will be organising an Orange Shirt Giveaway on September 28th and 29th until supplies run out. Details
September 28 – 29, 2023 | 12 PM – 4 PM
St. John’s Park, 1201 Main Street, Winnipeg
Free
Day of Reflection Sacred Fire and Gathering
September 30, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
St. John’s Park, 1201 Main Street, Winnipeg
Free admission
Truth and Reconciliation exhibit
Truth and Reconciliation presents the tragic history of Canada’s residential schools and the ongoing efforts to use education and discussion to move towards reconciliation. Details
Permanent Exhibit
Canadian Museum for Human Rights – Level 7, 85 Israel Asper Way, Winnipeg
Free admission to the Museum on September 30th
Witness Blanket
Online
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation @ Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum
For National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum and Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba are hosting a number of opportunities for all ages to learn and connect. Details
September 30, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum, 494 Taché Ave, Winnipeg
Free admission
StoryShifters Video Viewing & Discussion
September 30 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a showing of the StoryShifters video with the Indigenous women’s stories of resilience. Afterwards, there will be a discussion held with Chris Larsen and Pauline Hince. Details
September 30, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum, 494 Taché Ave, Winnipeg
Free admission
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation @ Children’s Museum
Join us with FREE(*) general admission on a journey of education and reflection with a Métis Paper Vest workshop facilitated by the Louis Riel Institute and programming provided by Elder Barb Nepinak. Create a take-home decorative heart for a Heart Garden, with each heart representing the memory of a child lost to the residential school system. Our teepee will be on display for special story times at 12:00PM and 2:00PM and bannock will be served while supplies last.
The museum will be open regular hours (9:30AM – 4:30PM) with special programming between 11:00AM – 3:00PM. Details
September 30, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Manitoba Children’s Museum, 45 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg
Free general admission
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Orange Warm-up Jersey Game
Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts will wear orange jerseys during the pre-game warmup on September 29th. The jersery will be later auctioned online after the game. The funds will be donated to Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement (WASAC).
As part of the evening’s event, Juno Nominee and Cree Musician Desiree Dorion will perform in the Princess Auto Pre-game Tailgate prior to kick-off while the national anthem will be sung in Cree by Rhonda Head, a multi-award-winning Mezzo Soprano from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba.
As well, Powwow dancers, hoop dancers and drummers hosted by Walking Wolf Singers and Dancers will also lead the team onto the field prior to kickoff. The halftime show will feature jiggers and honour five Indigenous-centered safety organizations in the city.
Friday, September 29, 2023 | 7:00 PM
315 Chancellor Matheson Road, Winnipeg
$0 – $88+
Healing Walk & Pow Wow
Join the Healing Walk from the Forks Oodena Circle to the RBC Convention Centre. All encouraged to wear Orange Tshirts for the walk. Orange T-Shirts & Orange Sweaters will be given out at the beginning of the Walk at the Forks Oodena Circle. Details
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Orange T-Shirts & Orange Sweaters giveaway | 10:00 AM
Walk | 11:00 AM
Pow Wow Grand entry | 1:00 PM
Healing Walk from Forks Oodena Circle to Canada Life Centre
Pow Wow @ Canada Life Centre, 375 York Avenue, Winnipeg
Free
Truth and Reconciliation Keepsake
The Truth and Reconciliation Keepsake honours the more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children who were taken from their families and forced to attend Residential, Day and Boarding Schools across Canada. It acknowledges the intergenerational impacts of the Residential, Day and Boarding School era, and it invites reflection on how Canadians can meet the challenge of reconciliation in our everyday lives. Details
Pimootayowin: A Festival for New Work
Pimootayowin: A Festival of New Work showcases the artistry of the 2022/23 Pimootayowin playwrights – Mary Black, Ryan Black, Mike Lawrenchuk, Emily Meadows, Victoria Perrie and Eric Plamondon – with nightly workshop performances. The festival features pieces that touch on an exploration of Louis Riel’s final days, further betrayals on Turtle Island, the unpacking of many boxes, a question of personal stories, a celebration of life, and the discovery of internal wrongness. Details
September 24 – 29, 2023 | Doors open at 6:30pm for the nightly 7pm readings.
Tom Hendry Warehouse lobby, 174 Market Avenue, Winnipeg
Free; non-ticketed
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at The Leaf
In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day (Saturday, September 30), the Assiniboine Park Conservancy will host a Sacred Fire in the Indigenous Peoples Garden at The Leaf and make a donation to support the important work of two Indigenous-led organizations. Details
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Fire Node, Indigenous Peoples Garden at The Leaf
15% of sales earned on Saturday, September 30 from admissions at the Zoo and The Leaf will be divided evenly and donated to the Orange Shirt Society and the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at WAG
Join us on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as we welcome the community to take part in tours, workshops, and talks that centre the experiences and history of Indigenous children forced to attend Indian Residential Schools. Details
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard, Winnipeg
Regular admission – all funds will be donated to Sunshine House. Indigenous folks are always free!
Exhibitions, Art & Other Activities
Visit Art Galleries to learn more about indigenous peoples’ way of life, their art and culture.
- Inuit Sanaugangit – “art by Inuit”— a survey of artistic expression from approximately 200 BCE until the present day @ Winnipeg Art Gallery
- Anaanatta Unikkaangit showcases the work of Inuit artists, Billy Gauthier, Gayle Uyaqaqi Kabloona, Kablusiak, Maureen Gruben, and Ningiukulu Teevee @ Winnipeg Art Gallery
- Visit Urban Shaman Gallery, Winnipeg this weekend (closed on Sept 30th)
- National Film Board of Canada events
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.
Winnipeg Public Library
Read or get resources from Winnipeg Public Library in-person or online. — Details
Recommended Reading List by WPL:
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
Tim Hortons’ Orange Sprinkled Donut
The limited-time donut is in honour of Orange Shirt Day. 100 per cent of the proceeds excluding taxes from the orange-sprinkled donut, will be donated to various Indigenous charities. Buy on September 30 & October 1.
For all other things to do this weekend, see: Things to Do This Weekend in Winnipeg.
Thanksgiving Weekend Events & Activities in Winnipeg
What is Open-Closed
Remembrance Day gives us the opportunity to honour the people who have served, and continue to serve, in war, military conflict, and international peacekeeping activities. It is a time to remember those who lost their lives and cherish those who have suffered injury in the pursuit of human dignity and freedom.
This year, the Truth and Reconciliation Day will not be statuatory holiday for the province.
All civic offices are closed on Monday, October 2 in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, held on Saturday, September 30.
City of Winnipeg Tourist Attractions
Most tourist attractions are open unless they are closed due to seasonal closure (eg: Closed for winter season).
- Assiniboine Park Zoo: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Manitoba Children’s Museum: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Manitoba Museum: 10 am – 4 pm
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights: 10 am to 5 pm
- Winnipeg Art Gallery: 11 am – 5 pm
- Royal Canadian Mint: 1 pm to 5 pm
- FortWhyte Alive: 9 am – 5 pm
Libraries
All Winnipeg Public Libraries will be closed on Saturday, September 30 and Monday, October 2. For more information on branch locations and hours over the weekend, see Library locations and hours.
Online services, including downloadable eBooks, catalogue searching, and holds/renewals, are available anytime at Winnipeg Public Libraries.
Recycling/Garbage/Yard Waste Collection
Recycling, garbage, and yard waste will be collected as normally scheduled for those with Saturday or Monday as their collection day.
Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot hours of operation (residential customers only):
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday, September 30 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 1 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Monday, October 2 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depot hours of operation (residential customers only):
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday, September 30 | Closed |
| Sunday, October 1 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Monday, October 2 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Panet 4R Winnipeg Depot hours of operation (residential customers only):
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday, September 30 | Closed |
| Sunday, October 1 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Monday, October 2 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Winnipeg Transit
No changes to Winnipeg Transit’s regular scheduling.
Winnipeg Transit Customer Service Centres will be closed Monday, October 2.
Recreation & Leisure
Indoor Pools and Fitness & Leisure Centres
Select facilities will have reduced public hours on Saturday, September 30. All other indoor recreation facilities will be closed on Saturday, September 30.
| Facility | Hours |
|---|---|
| Pan Am Pool | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex | 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Margaret Grant Pool | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
Facilities will be open and operate on a normal schedule on Monday, October 2. For more information, visit Indoor Pools or Recreation & Leisure.
Animal Services
The Animal Services Agency will be closed on Saturday, September 30 and open on Monday, October 2 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, including how to purchase or renew your pet licence online and to view dogs available for adoption, visit Animal Services.
Cemeteries
Brookside, Transcona, and St. Vital cemeteries will remain open on September 30 and October 2, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; however, the Administration Office at Brookside Cemetery will be closed on Monday, October 2. For more information, visit Cemeteries.
Golf courses
Crescent Drive, Kildonan Park, and Windsor Park golf courses will remain open throughout the long weekend, weather permitting. For more information, visit Golf courses.
