Edmonton community events honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2024

Edmontonians gathered to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at events that honoured residential school survivors and the children who were never returned home, along with their families and their communities. Throughout the year and on this day especially, the City of Edmonton's reconciliation journey with Indigenous Peoples involves community activities that create opportunities for education, reflection and healing.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Leadership Symposium at MacEwan University invited guests to learn from Indigenous speakers. This event created space to honour lived experiences and reflect on the importance of truth and reconciliation. The participants scheduled to speak included Kimberly Murray, Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools; Carol Anne Hilton, author of Indigenomics; Lewis Cardinal, owner of Cardinal Strategic Communications and senior advisor with the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre; and Billy Morin, director of AxxcelusCapital Advisory.

"Today, we come together to acknowledge the painful legacy of residential schools and reaffirm our commitment to the path of reconciliation," said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, who delivered closing remarks at the symposium. "This journey requires every one of us to be active participants, to listen, to learn and to support Indigenous communities. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a step in this direction-one that reminds us of the work that still lies ahead."

Following the symposium, the fourth annual Orange Shirt Day Run and Walk saw Edmontonains gather in Kinsmen Park to honour the lives and communities affected by residential schools, and to raise funds that support Indigenous athletes, local grassroots movements and the Orange Shirt Society.

"September 30 is not only the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but it started as-and still is-Orange Shirt Day, a day for truth and recognition of the Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools," said Anita Cardinal, Orange Shirt Day Run and Walk event organizer. "We also came together in remembrance for those children who never came home and to honour their lives. It is also a day for action, a day to learn, to listen, to support and to come together as a community that is moving forward and armed with truth as we fight residential school denialism and lift up those voices who cry for change. Movement is medicine and today we practiced how healing running on the land can be as a community committed to RunConciliAction!"

To help honour the occasion, the City's Root for Trees initiative partnered with organizers to host a free plant giveaway at the event.

"Root for Trees is recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by gifting more than 3,400 trees, shrubs and wildflowers to Edmonton residents at the Orange Shirt Day Run and Walk," said Mark Beare, Director, Infrastructure Operations, Parks and Road Services. "The plants are given for individuals to plant themselves as a lasting tribute to honour the victims, families, friends and intergenerational survivors of residential schools."

The City also recognizes this day by lighting several landmarks orange, lowering flags in City Hall Plaza to half-mast and displaying the Survivors' Flag at Edmonton City Hall.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action No. 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report, which called for a statutory holiday to honour survivors, their families, and communities while ensuring the legacy of residential schools is recognized. Since the creation of this day in 2021, the City of Edmonton has supported access to educational resources, learning opportunities and public events to engage both staff and community members in reconciliation efforts.