National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is marked as a Canadian statutory holiday. This means many of you will have the chance to take the day to reflect on truth and reconciliation and on the genocidal legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School System.

Below is a list of events that are happening that you can participate in if you choose, and actions that you can take to increase your own understanding, or to further the call to action of elected officials on matters pertaining to public policy and truth and reconciliation.

Online Events (from anywhere):
How to watch and listen to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on CBC on September 30. Link will be updated when available. 

Events for 2024 is over, check back again next year

It's a day to honour the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families and a time to engage in meaningful discussions about the history and legacy of the residential school system. 2024 marks the eleventh anniversary of Orange Shirt Day.
Every Child Matters! Learn to Bead with Chantal Dustyhorn. Show your support everyday with a Orange Shirt Beaded lapel pin

Location: Rink Mezz, Britannia Community Centre

Note: Registration is full, but a waitlist is available for this event. 

Salish Singing and Drumming Workshop

Join us on Wednesday, September 27th for a Salish Singing and Drumming workshop! This is a free workshop features Russell Wallace, a composer, producer, and traditional Lil’wat singer.

Details:
  • All individuals are invited to participate, regardless of age, experience, or ability
  • Limited number of drums available, so you are encouraged to bring your own
  • The workshop will run once a month throughout the fall, with additional dates on October 25th and November 29th
  • Free registration is available to confirm your spot
  • Russell Wallace is an award-winning composer and singer from the Lil'wat Nation. He has been a part of award-winning recording groups such as Kalan Wi and Spiritual Warriors, as well as the artist in residence with the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Date and Time: 2024 TBD
Location: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings St., Vancouver (Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre for Performing Arts)
Cost: Free registration
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This event is co-presented by SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement and SFU's Office for Aboriginal Peoples. At Simon Fraser University, we live and work on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples.

Darrel McLeod: A Season in Chezgh'un

Join Darrel McLeod in a discussion with acclaimed literary journalist Shelagh Rogers, as they discuss his first novel, A Season in Chezgh'un.

The novel is a fascinating read that depicts a world most will never experience: life on a typical Indian Reserve in Canada. McLeod takes the intimacy and candor he’s known for in his memoirs and uses them to paint the story of a talented and conflicted Cree man who spends a year in Northern BC taking in the indomitable spirit of the people, and the splendour of nature—all the while fighting to keep his dark side from destroying his life.

Date and Time: 2024 TBD
Location: Central Library, 350 West Georgia St., Vancouver
Cost: Free registration is required (requires a free VPL library card)

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas - JAJ: A Haida Manga​

Come hear artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas present his latest graphic novel, JAJ: A Haida Manga. It brings to life the tumultuous history of first contact between Europeans and Indigenous peoples and the early colonization by the Europeans of the northern West Coast. 

Michael will appear in conversation with CBC Radio's North by Northwest host, Margaret Gallagher. 

Date and Time: 2024 TBD
Location: Central Library, 350 West Georgia St., Vancouver
Registration: Registration is required