Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the truth and legacy of the Indian Residential School system. It is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.
This date was chosen as it was the time of year when First Nations children were taken away from their homes to attend Residential Schools. Today, it is also an opportunity to establish anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year.

On September 30 all Canadians are encouraged to join this discussion and build bridges in the spirit of reconciliation. This is a day to remember those we have lost and reaffirm the resiliency of Survivors and everyone affected by the Residential School system.

Let’s continue to honour Survivors and all the children who never made it home.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Sacred Fire in Honour of Every Child Matters 
Date: September 27-30
Time: 11 a.m. on September 30 
Location: Pope John Paul School Grounds 

Fort William First Nation and Orange Abinoojiinh Movement Sunrise
Date: September 30
Ceremony Time: 7:15 a.m. 
Location: Anemki-Wajiw (Mount McKay)  

Dilico Anishinabek Family Sunrise Ceremony  
Date: September 30
Time: 8 a.m. 
Location: 200 Anemki Place 

Orange Abinoojiinh Movement Sacred Fire
This Sacred Fire has been burning since the first re-discovery of the 215 unmarked graves, over 100 days ago. 
Date: September 23 – October 1 
Location: Anemki-Wajiw (Mount McKay) 

The Cedar Tree Planting Ceremony 
(accompanied by a community cedar seedling giveaway) Hosted by the City of Thunder Bay, this ceremonial tree planting will remember and honour the children, families, and communities forever impacted by the tragedy of Residential Schools. 
Date: September 30
Time: 10 a.m.  
Location: Vickers Park  
For more information: https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/orange-shirt-day.aspx#cedar  
Please note: Masks and social distancing are required by all attendees. 

Red Sky Métis Independent Nation Craft Show 
Date: September 30
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: Pope John Paul II 

Indian Horse screening and community partners activities/information booths 
Date: September 30
Time: 3-8 p.m. 
Location: Marina Park  

Fort William First Nation and the Orange Abinoojiinh Movement Pow Wow 
Date: September 30 & October 1 
Location: Anemki-Wajiw 
Schedule of Events: 

September 30: 
7:15 a.m. – Sunrise Ceremony 
12 p.m. – Warm-ups 
1 p.m. – Grand Entry 
5 p.m. – Feast 
7 p.m. – Grand Entry 
8 p.m. – Red Dress Ceremony 

October 1: 
12 p.m. – Warm-ups 
1 p.m. – Grand Entry 
2 p.m. – Recognitions 
5 p.m. – Pipe Ceremony and Feast 

Please Note: Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required upon entry. All safety protocols for COVID-19 will be followed. Additional screening, masks, and sanitization stations will be mandatory. 

Check out the City of Thunder Bay’s website for more info: https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/orange-shirt-day.aspx  

Orange Shirt Day Commemorative Walk 
Date: September 30
Time: 9:45 a.m. with prayers to begin at 10:00 a.m.  
Location: The Walk will begin at the Travel Information Centre at 9: 45 a.m. Participants will then walk from the Frog Rapids Bridge to the Travel Information Centre.  
Note: Rides to the bridge will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of photographs of loved ones, stories, and poems or something of significance. 

Building/Ottawa Sign Illumination to commemorate Indian Residential School Survivors 
Date: September 30
Time: Sunset 
Location: Heritage Building, Marion Dewar Plaza, OTTAWA sign (ByWard Market)  

Remember Me: National Day of Remembrance. 
Presented by the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, this event is a national gathering to remember Indigenous children and families impacted by residential schools. Opening ceremonies begin at Parliament Hill, followed by a Spirit Walk to Confederation Park, concluding with music, art, presentations and installations. 
Date: September 30
Time: 10 a.m. -5 p.m. 
For more information: http://remember-me-september-30.org/  

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at Beechwood Cemetery. 
The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation and the Project of Heart, Assembly of 7 Generations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society have partnered to host a public Day of Reconciliation educational program. The event will include a 45-minute Reconciling History tour, an outdoor screening of Spirit Bear and Children Make History, as well as a public display of tiles created by youth across Canada to honour Residential School Survivors. 
Date: September 30
Time: Sunrise to sunset 
For more information: https://landing.beechwoodottawa.ca/en/nationaldayoftruthandreconciliation?fbclid=IwAR0KfbuJYRBys9alSnc2923XiJBxMSJHV7f-0hoYwJldXjL39HuBOkw51O8  

Check out the City of Ottawa’s website: https://ottawa.ca/en/news/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-how-you-can-recognize-day

Round Table of Algonquin Leaders on Truth and Reconciliation and Museums.
The Bytown Museum is hosting a roundtable of Algonquin Leaders from Kitigan Zibi and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation to discuss how Truth and Reconciliation is reflected in the work of museums. 
Date: September 27 
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  
For more information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/round-table-of-algonquin-leaders-on-truth-and-reconciliation-and-museums-tickets-167924874821  

National Truth and Reconciliation Week.
Presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, this full week of online programming will feature short videos created by Indigenous storytellers, followed by conversations with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Survivors and the children of Residental School Survivors. 
Date: September 27 – October 1  
For more information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/truth-and-reconciliation-week-tickets-153491752965?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&fbclid=IwAR1_qi9hwKA_XDio8rw48mBnl-SOfLcJE-sYgJ7sg25VUgC6RGP_Nv4wwdc  

Kìyàbadj kidandanizimin. We are still here.  
The Ottawa Public Library is hosting a virtual storytelling with Residential School Surivor, Jenny Buckshot Tenasco, and her daughter Anita Tenasco will share reflections on how Canada’s Residential School System has impacted First Nations education, poverty, systematic racism, mental health, strength and resilience. 
Date: September 29 
Time: 7 – 8 p.m.  
For more information: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/k%C3%ACy%C3%A0badj-kidandanizimin-we-are-still-here  

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)’s A Night of Speaking the Truth to Heal Together with Guest speakers: Al Hunter, Joe Hunter, Audrey Deroy, and Tina Armstrong 
Date: September 30
Time: 6-8 p.m. 
For more information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqceCvrD4jEtC88B8zyCzkc5j_KD-2HodC  

Orange Shirt Day Opening and Virtual Tour of Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre.
Join Ryerson University for this online event in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. The event will begin with opening remarks from university leaders, Maddy Bifano (Community Access Assistant for the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre at Algoma University), followed by a virtual tour of Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre. This tour will provide a detailed overview of the site and its history and offer insight into the day-to-day lives of former students at the Shingwauk Residential School. 
Date: September 29 
Time: 2-3:45 p.m. 
For more information: https://ryerson.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ucOmgpjkuGtGcL-lT471NSbVrnJltbweA