While Orange Shirt Day has been recognized in a variety of ways since 2013, this year Canadians will observe the 2nd National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 2022. 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, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, 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.
KELOWNA
Truth and Reconciliation: (Un)learn with Kelowna Museum
Address: 470 Queensway Avenue, Kelowna, BC
Date & Time: September 30, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Website: https://www.kelownamuseums.ca/event/truth-and-reconciliation/
Highlights: Join the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Their all-ages guided and self-guided stations help you learn about the history and culture of the syilx people, both pre-contact and post-contact.
MAPLE RIDGE
We Stand with You Through Truth and Reconciliation
Address: Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge, BC
Date & Time: September 30th – 1o:00 am
Website: https://www.mapleridge.ca/Calendar
Highlights: PLEA Community Services has put together this event in support with the local indigenous people, the Katzie First Nations, and local community partners to support and bring awareness to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
NANAIMO
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Address: 745 Third Street, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Website: https://www.nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-events/Nationaldayfortruthandreconciliation
Highlights: To acknowledge the importance of September 30, Snuneymuxw First Nation, the City of Nanaimo, and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools invite you to partake in a day that will honour residential survivors, children that never returned home and families that are living with the lasting impacts of the residential school system. This day will bring community together to give an opportunity to listen, learn and work together to create a better future. Free activities will include cultural performances on the main stage and demonstrations/clinics provided by local sports teams at select facilities. There will also be a variety of market vendors and food trucks with yummy treats for purchase.
NEW WESTMINSTER
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Address: 1 6th Street, New Westminster, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Website: https://www.newwestcity.ca/calendar-of-events/events/6721.php
Highlights: Spirit of the Children Society will host a pipe ceremony at Westminster Pier Park to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Please wear your orange shirt. All ages are welcome to this free family event. Out of respect for the event, please no drugs or alcohol.
NORTH VANCOUVER
On Truth and Reconciliation: Artist James Harry discusses his newest project with SOS Children’s Village BC
Address: 1174 Welch Street, North Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 1:00 – 2:30pm
Website: https://www.griffinartprojects.ca/events/on-truth-and-reconciliation-artist-james-harry-discusses-his-newest-project-with-sos-childrens-village-bc
Highlights: Join artist James Harry for a talk about his most recent piece for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village BC. Harry is of Squamish (Swxwú7meshḵ) and European descent and is the recipient of the 2022 Griffin Art Projects Indigenous Studio Award. With Q&A led by Indigenous Curatorial Assistant, Emmett Hanly.
PORT COQUITLAM
Weaving Our Story Towards Reconciliation
Address: 2175 Coquitlam Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 11:00 am
Website: https://culturedays.ca/en/events/e6e8793e-0ed6-45cf-bf58-2bb596d341cc
Highlights: A planned walk open to everyone, with 7 planned stops, ending with light refreshments, stories, song, and dance.
PORT MOODY
National Day of Truth & Reconciliation
Address: 2734 Murray Street, Port Moody, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00 am
Website: https://portmoodymuseum.org/index.php/event-directory/
Highlights: Join the Port Moody Station Museum for a free day of learning.
RICHMOND
Free Printmaking Workshop
Address: No 2 Road, Richmond, BC
Date & Time: September 25th, 10:00 am
Website: https://culturedays.ca/en/events/d51c3dfa-5135-44c5-b561-0780bd095e7d
Highlights: Learn about the wonderful world of printmaking through this fun and accessible process of Silk Screen Printing. We will provide all template designs on the day, and you can choose from an array of options. Many designs are themed for Truth and Reconciliation Day, observed on September 30th. Show your support for Indigenous Canadians for Orange Shirt Day with a custom design on your shirt.
SURREY
Chubby Cree
Address: 13450 104 Ave, Surrey, BC
Date & Time: September 29th, 7:30 pm
Website: https://tickets.surrey.ca/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent2446.html
Highlights: Steeped in traditional music and culture, Chubby Cree is an Indigenous hand drum group. Featuring twelve-year-old Noah Green, a prodigy with a larger-than-life voice, and his grandmother, Carol Powder. Joining the duo on Centre Stage for this powerful performance will be drummers and dancers, and Surrey audiences can expect to be wowed by this authentic Cree performance.
VANCOUVER
Orange Shirt Day
Address: 3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 1:00 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149502765673868/
Highlights: On September 30, the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society, and the Trout Lake Community Centre will honour the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools and remember those that didn’t. Join them to show solidarity in and help us raise awareness about residential schools and their lasting impact on Indigenous peoples.
Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day
Address: 1985 Learners’ Walk, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Website: https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2022/intergenerational-march-to-commemorate-orange-shirt-day
Highlights: Led by UBC Applied Science and Land and Food Systems. There are no fees or registration required. Join the intergenerational march to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. 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 of a difficult era in Canadian history at home.
Orange Shirt Day: Honouring the Children
Address: 400 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 12:00 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1082649605759856/
Highlights: Join us to honour the Survivors of Residential Schools, the legacy carried by their families and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.
We honour the Children with free BBQ, Bouncy Castles, Crafts, Drums & Dance & Giveaways. Please wear your Orange Shirt in support!
Neighbourhood Food Week: Orange Shirt Day
Address: 700 Templeton Drive, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 4:00 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/493022002214156/
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 with Lori Snyder, snacks, tea and more!
WEST VANCOUVER
Storytelling, Songs, & Crafts with Lisa Lewis
Address: 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: September 30th, 11:00 am
Website: https://discoverevvnt.com/framed/event/1301939-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
Truth & Reconciliation Book Giveaway
Address: 4329 Main Street, Whistler, BC
Date & Time: September 14th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Website: https://www.whistlerlibrary.ca/event/truth-reconciliation-book-giveaway/
Highlights: The Whistler Library is hosting the second annual Truth & Reconciliation Book Giveaway! Drop by the library lobby to receive a free fiction or non-fiction book; we have titles for all ages, and each family will receive 1 book.
VIRTUAL
Truth & Reconciliation Week 2022
Date & Time: September 26th – 30th, 2022
Website: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/
Highlights: Truth and Reconciliation Week 2022 is a national program open to all schools across Canada. This year, the theme is “Remembering the Children”. Join them as they memorialize the children lost to the residential school system and honour Survivors and their families. Learning and commemorating the truth of our history from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledge keepers is an important part of the path to Reconciliation. This year includes an expanded program with age-appropriate material for students in grades 1 through 12.
On Truth & Reconciliation with James Harry
Date & Time: September 30th, 1:00 pm
Website: https://www.vancouversnorthshore.com/events/on-truth-and-reconciliation-with-james-harry/
Highlights: Join the most recent awardee of GRIFFIN’S Indigenous Studio Award, artist James Harry, for a talk about his most recent piece for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village BC. The talk will follow a Q&A led by Indigenous curatorial assistant, Emmett Hanly.
Xe Xe Smun Eem – Victoria Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00 am
Website: https://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/news-events/events/events-list/community-events/xe-xe-smun-eem-victoria-orange-shirt-day-every-child-matters-ceremony-2.html
Highlights: Wear orange and join the Xe xe Smun’ eem – Victoria Orange Shirt Day Ceremony. The ceremony will also be live webcast for those who can’t join in person.
Cedar Harvesting with Elder Jeff Welch and Katłįà Lafferty
Date & Time: September 30th, 10:00 am
Website: https://discoverevvnt.com/framed/event/1301970-cedar-harvesting-with-elder-jeff-welch-and-kat-lafferty-virtual-
Highlights: Join T’Sou-ke Elder Jeff Welch and Dene author Katłįà Lafferty to learn how to harvest and prepare cedar bark, and to hear their thoughts on reconciliation. A Traditional Welcome will be offered by Chief Janice George of the Squamish Nation.
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!
Victoria Orange Shirt Day online and in-person retailers
This is not a complete list, and we are regularly adding to it. Please let us know if we’re missing one of your favourite retailers!
Heather is a Toronto born mama of two whose parenting journey has taken her family coast to coast across Canada. When she’s not whipping up recipes for the Healthy Family Living website or sharing the latest fun Vancouver events on HFL’s Facebook page, she’s a freelance writer that has recently been published in an anthology entitled BIG, as well as in the Huffington Post, as she and her hubby of 13 years attempt to keep up with their two spirited girls and 3 fur babies!
