For more than a century, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools. This government policy had individual, family, and community intergenerational trauma impacts. At The City, we believe you can support Truth and Reconciliation every day.

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland
750 9 Ave. S.E.

Join us to commemorate Indian residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Remembering the Children.

The program features keynote speakers, remarks from the Mayor, a moment of silence, and cultural performances that highlight Indigenous traditions and youth voices, culminating in a round dance.

Together, we will reflect on the legacy of residential schools and reaffirm our commitment to truth, reconciliation and shared understanding.

It is an opportunity to remember the children that didn’t make it home from Indian residential schools, the experience of survivors, and resulting inter-generational trauma.

This day also provides an opportunity to witness, support, and honour the healing journey of survivors and their families.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in the spring of 2013 at Williams Lake, BC, and was inspired by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story of how her new orange t-shirt was taken away on her first day of school at the Mission.

The confiscation of Phyllis' orange shirt was a common practice at Indian residential schools where the intent was to disconnect Indigenous children from their families and communities and erasing their Indigenous identity. Since then, the event has become an opportunity to continue the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

As the number of events increases across the country, September was chosen because this is the time when school begins again and also reflects the time when indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in residential schools.

There are many ways to reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and to learn about the impacts Indian Residential Schools had on the survivors, intergenerational survivors, and the many children that did not survive.

• Attend the event at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 30
• Wear an orange shirt from a local Indigenous vendor to show your allyship and solidarity
• Read the White Goose Flying Report
• Review the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Summary Report that identifies 94 Calls to Action to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation
• Be an ally to the Indigenous community
• Participate in one of the many community-led National Truth & Reconciliation events listed by the Calgary Foundation

The following structures will be illuminated orange in honour of National Truth & Reconciliation Day and as part of Calgary Culture Days, which highlights local events while honouring Orange Shirt Day:

• Reconciliation Bridge
  
• Centre Street Bridge

Artist: Kristy North Peigan
Learn about the artist