September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day). The day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, along with their families and communities. A few opportunities are popping up around Calgary where you can participate in supportive, educational, and community-building events.

Find A Day to Listen here (sponsored by the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund). For extra resources, you can find the official Orange Shirt Day site here. If you’re interested in specific resources for young children, you can sign up for the CBC Kids newsletter.

September 30, 2025

Calgary Library – Select Locations

Select Calgary Public Library locations will open on September 30, 2025, from 12 – 5 PM. There won’t be special programming, but you can explore the Indigenous Placemaking installations by artists connected to Treaty 7. The Central Library will have a special screening of “Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man” on September 29, 2025, from 6 – 8:30 PM.

Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 12 – 5 PM
Venue: Select locations: Central, Crowfoot, Fish Creek, Forest Lawn, Judith Umbach, Saddletowne, Seton, Shawnessy, Signal Hill, and Village Square
Website: www.calgarylibrary.ca

The Confluence

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. You can mark the day at The Confluence with a free entry, walking tours, storytelling, and a presentation of We Are All Treaty People, presented by Quest Theatre.

Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM; Play Presentations at 12:30, 2:30, and 6:30 PM
Where: The Confluence
Address: 750 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.theconfluence.ca; www.theconfluence.ca/treatypeople

Heritage Park

Heritage Park is also marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025. Anyone who self-identifies as Indigenous at the front gates of the Park will get free admission. This will be a day filled with ceremony, storytelling, and cultural experiences.

Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
Venue: Heritage Park
Address: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.heritagepark.ca

National Music Centre

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Studio Bell will be open with free admission from 1 – 5 PM on September 30, 2025. Explore the Speak Up! exhibition. Panelists include rapper Rex Smallboy (War Party), Curt Young, and Wendy Walker. The panel will be hosted by Drezus — an Anishinaabe/Nêhiyaw artist based in Mohkínstsis.

Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 1 – 5 PM
Venue: Studio Bell at the National Music Centre
Address: 850 4 St. SE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.studiobell.ca

Pokaiks Commemorative Walk

Mark your calendars and be a part of a meaningful Orange Shirt Day Event that honours the past and builds bridges for the future. Pokaiks Reconciliation Walk and Event 2025 is a tribute to survivors of the Residential School System and Sixties Scoop, held annually on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The walk will begin at 11 AM at Peace Bridge and continue to Contemporary Calgary. The walk is followed by the opening ceremonies, performances, artisans, and activities. The event is free and all are welcome.

Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Venue: Peace Bridge to Contemporary Calgary
Address: Contemporary Calgary: 701 11 St SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.pokaiks.org

Southcentre Mall

Southcentre Mall is getting ready for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, beginning September 15, 2025, with special cultural programming days on September 21 and 28, 2025. On September 30, 2025, you can head to the tipi at Centre Court for reflection. You can take part in cultural stories, music, and performance.

Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 8 PM
Venue: Southcentre Mall
Address: 100 Anderson Road SE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.southcentremall.com

Werklund Centre (Formerly Arts Commons)

Head to Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2025. They will be hosting gallery tours and artist talks, an Indigenous Makers Market, Echoes of the Land, and an Elders Story Project. Registration is free, but required, for everything but the Market & Pow Wow Showcase.

Date: September 30, 2025

Gallery Tours: 12, 1 & 2 PM
Indigenous Makers Market & Pow Wow Showcase: 11 AM – 5 PM
Echoes of the Land: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Elders Story Project: 7:30 – 9:30 PM

Venue: Werklund Centre
Address: 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.werklundcentre.ca/ndtr

Do you know of more events happening in your community to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation? Send them to calgary@familyfuncanada.com.

On September 30, wear your orange shirt and find a way to honour those who never came home.