National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day 2024
On Sept. 29 and 30, 2024, UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement, in partnership with Calgary Public Library, will honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada / Orange Shirt Day with special events held on campus and at the Central Library.
These events are intended to raise awareness about the impact and legacy of the Indian Residential School System in Canada and bring people together in the spirit of reconciliation.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada / Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to learn about the history of residential schools, intergenerational trauma and Indigenous resilience. This day aligns with the time of year when Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their homes to attend residential schools. Many did not return home, many were traumatized for life, and some have been brave enough to share their stories. Through the acknowledgement of truth and increased awareness, we walk together on our path towards reconciliation, aspiring to become a country where “Every Child Matters.”
Screening of Bones of Crows
Date: Sept. 29
Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m. MST
Location: Central Library
Join us for a free viewing of the film Bones of Crows, directed by Marie Clements, with special remarks from Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur, BA’01, and UCalgary’s Dr. Michael Hart, vice-provost (Indigenous Engagement).
Bones of Crows is a multigenerational epic and story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree matriarch Aline Spears, played throughout her life by Summer Testawich, Grace Dove (Monkey Beach) and Carla-Rae (Rutherford Falls). Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, young musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Over the next hundred years, Aline and her descendants fight against systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse — and work to build a more just future.
Michelle Good Presentation
Getting Under the Myth of Canadian History
Date: Sept. 30
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. MST
Location: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, UCalgary, and livestreamed
Michelle Good is a Cree writer and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. After working for Indigenous organizations for 25 years, she obtained a law degree and advocated for residential school survivors for more than 14 years. Good earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at the University of British Columbia. Her poems, short stories and essays have been published in magazines and anthologies across Canada.
Five Little Indians, Good’s first novel, won the HarperCollins/UBC Best New Fiction Prize, the Amazon First Novel Award, the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Award, the Evergreen Award, the City of Vancouver Book of the Year Award, and Canada Reads 2022.
Hosted by Dr. Michael Hart, vice-provost (Indigenous Engagement), this keynote address includes special remarks from UCalgary President Dr. Ed McCauley and Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur, BA’01.
Piikani Elder Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD’01, will open and close the event in a good way.
Canadians are encouraged to honour survivors by wearing orange and show their support of Orange Shirt Day by using #orangeshirtday and #everychildmatters on social media and learning about its origins and residential schools.
More Orange Shirt Day events
Wellness Support
National Indian Residential School Resolution Help Support Program
1-866-925-4419
Hope for Wellness Help Line and Chat
1-855-242-3310
Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society
24-hour Crisis Line
403-531-1972 or 403-531-197
Elbow River Healing Lodge
Traditional Wellness and Healing (Spiritual, Cultural, and Ceremonial supports)
403-955-660
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
403-297-1700
Distress Centre
403-266-HELP (4357)
CCASA – Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault
403-237-6905
Writing Symbols Lodge Wellness and Cultural Support
Addiction Helpline
Available 24/7 1-866-332-2322
Urgent Care for Mental Health
Sheldon Chumir 1213-4th street SW or,
South Calgary Health Centre: 31 Sunpark Plaza SE or call 403-943-9300
Kids Help Phone
Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Support Line
1-844-413-6649
Education & Teaching Resources
Calgary Public Library Indigenous Services
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Reconciliation Canada
Provides programs and initiatives to inspire positive change in communities. The resource page provides links to the TRC webpage, Calls to Action, findings from the commission and other resources.
Legacy of Hope Foundation
An overview of the history of residential schools. Includes oral histories and survivor stories.
Residential Schools Podcast Series
Made by Historica Canada
National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, University of Manitoba
Resources for students from elementary to high school about the Residential School experiences and some history. The information is sectioned into level of grade.
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Provides research, policy, professional development and networking to support First Nations child and family service agencies in caring for First Nations children, youth and families.
Teacher Resource Guide
Developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee in British Columbia. FNESC is a policy and advocacy organization that represents and works on behalf of First Nations in British Columbia.
Wellness Support and Resources PDF