ChangeMakers honours Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30, ChangeMakers joins communities throughout Canada in recognizing Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Across the country, this day invites us to unlearn what we have been taught about Canadian history, hold space for truth and reflect on the present-day legacy. Ten years ago, the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada released their Final Report and 94 Calls To Action. With the intention of shining a bright light on Survivor Truths, and providing Canadians with a roadmap for continued truth telling, healing and reconciliation.
On September 30, and every day, we encourage everyone to reflect, listen, and learn. More importantly, we want you to consider how you can support the advancement of Truth & Reconciliation.
For more information about local Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events across Canada, please visit the links below.
Vancouver & Surrounding Area
Finding Your Voice
Indigenous artists and educators Christine Mackenzie and Nova Weipert will lead families through discussion and a community-building art activity. The event is free, but pre-registration is required.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PDT & 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. PDT
Location: Place des Arts
Address: 1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam, BC
Website: placedesarts.ca
Orange Shirt Day at Holland Park
Witness Indigenous cultural sharing, truth telling, traditional dancing and drumming while enjoying locally prepared Bannock and tea. Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on the legacy of colonialism and commit to the ongoing process of Truth and Reconciliation. Throughout the event, cultural sharers will be present to guide reflection, learning, and conversation.
Date: September 29, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PDT (Drum March from City Hall to Holland Park starts at 3:45 p.m.)
Location: Holland Park
Address: 13428 Old Yale Rd., Surrey, BC
Website: surrey.ca
Intergenerational March
The march will include educational activities to 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.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 11:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PDT
Location: UBC Vancouver Campus
Address: 1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC
Website: ubc.ca
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the SLCC
Join the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to experience and connect with immersive programming and storytelling of Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl – the living culture of the original people of the shared territory where Whistler resides.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PDT
Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
Address: 4584 Blackcomb Wy., Whistler, BC
Website: slcc.ca
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at MONOVA
Engage and learn in hands-on activities, designed to inspire reflection and meaningful dialogue for guests of all ages.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PDT
Location: Museum and Archives of North Vancouver
Address: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC
Website: monova.ca
Calgary
Angela Sterritt Presentation
Presentation by award-winning investigative journalist, national bestselling author, and TV, radio and podcast host, Angela Sterritt. She is from the Wilp Wiik’aax of the Gitanmaax community within the Gitxsan Nation on her father’s side and from Bell Island, Newfoundland on her mother’s side. As a speaker, Sterritt shares her story of resilience and challenges stereotypes of Indigenous people, including in her widely viewed TED Talk. She has also taught journalism at several Canadian universities.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. MDT
Location: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, UCalgary, and livestreamed
Address: 2500 University Dr., NW, Calgary, AB
Website: go.ucalgary.ca
Orange Shirt Day
Enjoy presentations from various speakers, including the Mayor, Indigenous Elders and school board representatives at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (previously Fort Calgary). A blessing from an Elder will start the event and Indigenous dancers will entertain during. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear orange as a sign of support and to honour the children who didn’t return from residential schools across the country.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. MDT
Location: The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland
Address: 750 9 Ave. S.E., Calgary, AB
Website: calgary.ca
Winnipeg
5th Annual Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Pow Wow
Organized by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), this free community event begins with a Pipe Ceremony at Oodena Circle, followed by a healing walk to RBC Convention Centre where the Pow Wow commences. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange to honours Survivors and those who never made it home. Further details, including programming, vendor opportunities, and schedules, are forthcoming.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. CDT, Pipe Ceremony, Healing Walk begins at 11:00 a.m. CDT
Location: Meeting point at Oodena Celebration Circle, walk to RBC Convention Centre
Address: 375 York Ave., Winnipeg, MB
Website: scnoic.mb.ca
FortWhyte Alive
Wear your orange shirt and join FortWhyte Alive for a day of special, Indigenous-led programs to expand your knowledge of Indigenous history and culture. Admission is free.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CDT
Location: FortWhyte Alive Park
Address: 1961 McCreary Rd., Winnipeg, MB
Website: fortwhyte.org
Toronto
U of T Orange Shirt Day
Honour the experiences of residential school survivors at a University-wide event to commemorate the day. The commemoration will feature Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Hayalthkin’geme. Newman is a multi-disciplinary artist, carver, filmmaker, author and public speaker. The event is hosted by the UTM, USTC and institutional Offices of Indigenous Initiatives, First Nations House Indigenous Student Services, and Hart House.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT
Location: Online
Address: N/A
Website: alumni.utoronto.ca
Indigenous Legacy Gathering
Annual Indigenous Legacy Gathering, a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, community, and intergenerational connection, held at Nathan Phillips Square. Experience a day filled with traditional drumming, dancing, and teachings, as well as live performances and ceremonies that honour our shared histories and futures. Explore artisan booths, community services, and cultural organizations showcasing their work and stories.
Date: September 29 – 30, 2025
Time: TBA
Location: Nathan Phillips Square
Address: 100 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Website: councilfire.ca
Orange After Dark: An Orange Shirt Day Show
A Truth & Reconciliation Day after-party featuring Indigenous music, fashion, and poetry. Expect performances across hip hop, R&B, soul, jazz, as well as an Indigenous streetwear showcase and community photo ops.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. EDT (Doors open at 7:00 p.m. EDT)
Location: Poetry Jazz Cafe
Address: 1078 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Website: eventbrite.com
Halifax
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Flag Raising
Join Mayor Mike Savage for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Flag Raising and Proclamation reading.
Date: September 27, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. ADT
Location: Halifax City Hall
Address: 1841 Argyle St., Halifax, NS
Website: halifax.ca
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Enjoy interactive cultural demonstrations & refreshments at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ADT
Location: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Address: 2021 Brunswick St. Suite 209, Halifax, NS
Website: halifax.ca
Pier 21 Vendor Market and Cultural Showcase
Visit the vendors market beginning at 1:00 p.m. and Cultural Showcase beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Pier 21 in the Kenneth Rowe Room.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. ADT (Vendor market), 6:00 p.m. ADT (Cultural showcase)
Location: Pier 21 in the Kenneth Rowe Room
Address: 1055 Marginal Rd., Halifax, NS
Website: halifax.ca