2024 TRUTH & RECONCILIATION EVENTS IN METRO VANCOUVER

While Orange Shirt Day has been recognized in a variety of ways since 2013,  Canadians officially observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 2024. BC schools will be closed, and many families are looking for opportunities to reflect and learn in a respectful way. We have rounded up a number of in-person Truth & Reconciliation Day events in Kelowna, Maple Ridge, Nanaimo, New Westminster, North Vancouver,  Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, Whistler, as well as virtual gatherings you can join from home.

Plus you can continue the learning at home with these books & movies.

MAPLE RIDGE

Acknowledging Indigenous Resilience 
Address: Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge, BC 
Date & Time:  September 29th – 10:00 am
Website: https://www.mapleridge.ca/explore-maple-ridge/festivals-events/national-day-truth-reconciliation 
Highlights: Organized by Katzie First Nation, Fraser River Indigenous Society, BC Spokes, and PLEA Community Services, this event brings together the Maple Ridge community to celebrate and honour Indigenous strength and culture, featuring an opening march, Indigenous guest speakers, local dancers, drummers, artists, and a motivational talk from hip-hop artist K.A.S.P. Attendees can also enjoy orange shirt painting, a community art project, and explore over 50 vendors and artisans sharing their craft.

NEW WESTMINSTER

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Address: 1 6th Street, New Westminster, BC 
Date & Time:  September 30th, 12:00 – 3:30 pm
Website: https://www.newwestcity.ca/calendar-of-events/events/7875.php
Highlights: Spirit of the Children Society will host this event filled with speakers, food, dance, crafts, ideas, and inspiration as they explore the theme of “healing through understanding” and how that relates to allyship and resilience. All are welcome to witness and learn!

NORTH VANCOUVER

Create & Connect: Truth and Reconciliation Day
Address: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Website: https://theshipyardsdistrict.ca/event/create-connect-truth-and-reconciliation-day
Highlights: Join the activities all day at MONOVA to engage and learn through hands-on activities designed to inspire reflection and meaningful dialogue for guests of all ages

SURREY

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation 
Address: Multiple Venues, Surrey, BC
Date & Time:  September 30th
Website: https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/events/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation
Highlights: The City of Surrey invites and encourage everyone to join in observing and participating in this important day, with many ways to recognize the holiday ranging from quiet reflection to active participation in a community event like Skookum Surrey at Holland Park for an afternoon of drumming, sharing, tea, and bannock.

VANCOUVER

Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day
Address: 1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 11:45 am – 3:00 pm
Website: https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2023/intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day
Highlights: Join the intergenerational march to commemorate Orange Shirt Day (OSD). Members of the UBC community, families and those in solidarity are welcome to participate. The march is intergenerational, and aims to be educational and supportive to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond. Educational activities will allow younger participants to connect with the original inhabitants of the land and plant a seed to continue these conversations about a difficult era in Canadian history at home.

Orange Shirt Day Commemoration
Address: 700 Templeton Drive, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th,  2:00 pm 
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1052380876274835
Highlights: Commemorate Orange Shirt Day in Community at the Templeton Pool Welcome Garden. Let’s gather and remember together. Performance by Indigenous Women Rise Drum Group, Elder stories, Indigenous Plant Walk, snacks, tea and more!

WEST VANCOUVER

Storytelling, Songs, and Crafts with Lisa Lewis
Address: 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 28th, 11:30 am
Website: https://westvanlibrary.ca/event/storytelling-songs-and-crafts-with-lisa-lewis-ages-5-9/
Highlights: Join Lisa Lewis, a Squamish Nation author, as she reads her book Tsunaxen’s Journey and teaches traditional Squamish songs and crafts. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

WHISTLER

National Truth & Reconciliation Day at SLCC 
Address: 4329 Main Street, Whistler, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Website: https://slcc.ca/ndtr/
Highlights: You are invited to experience and connect with immersive programming and storytelling of Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl at the SLCC, the living culture of the original people of the shared territory where Whistler resides. FREE ADMISSION thanks to Proud Partner CIBC

KELOWNA

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society Truth & Reconciliation Event
Address: 442 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC
Date & Time: September 27th, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm 
Website:  https://www.kelownachamber.org/news/post/882/Sept_27_Ki_Low_Na_Friendship_Society_Truth_Reconciliation_Event/
Highlights: At the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, join in their annual march on Leon Avenue followed by speeches and presentations. Be sure to wear orange and bring your drums! Plus, enjoy stew and Bannock for a delicious lunch. 
NANAIMO

Wellness Unites: A Community Event for Health & Reconciliation 
Address: Multiple Locations 
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Website:  https://www.nanaimo.ca/your-government/news-events/events/2024/09/30/default-calendar/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation—friday-september-30
Highlights:  The public is invited to unite in wellness for a community event for health and reconciliation. Free activities include open swims and skates, gymnasium sports, a family play room, interactive booths, arts and crafts, a story walk, scavenger hunt, bouncy castles, cookie decorating, games and activities, refreshments and food trucks, plus event t-shirt sales (while supplies last) and more!

VIRTUAL

Truth & Reconciliation Week 2024
Date & Time: September 18th – 30th
Website: https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/
Highlights: Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024 is a transformative five-day journey for students (grades 1-12), educators, and the broader community to engage with the poignant history and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Explore interactive workshops, witness the profound “Mino-pimatisiwin– The Good Life” youth empowerment gathering, engage in meaningful dialogues, and contribute to our collective path toward reconciliation.

Weaving Cultural Identities  
Date & Time: September 30th
Website: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=gaaWbvYL3CK
Highlights: Take a virtual tour of this exhibit from Vancouver Biennale that brings Indigenous and Islamic communities together in a collaborative exploration of weaving traditions and histories. The works unpack uneasy issues of belonging, displacement, diaspora, the land, and identity. 

WHERE TO BUY AN ORANGE SHIRT

One of the ways you can show your support on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (aka Orange Shirt Day) is by wearing orange. Be mindful of purchasing your shirt from Indigenous designers and businesses, and/or the official retail partners of the Orange Shirt Society. We recommend ordering online, or calling ahead before visiting a store as Orange Shirts are in high demand and sell out quickly!