Each year on September 30, we as Canadians step back to reflect on our country’s past, the tragedy of the Residential School system and its continuing impact on our Indigenous communities. Here are some local and national events, including concerts, films and gatherings taking place this year to mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto and the GTA…
Toronto — Gatherings
Biidaasige Park Story Walks
Date: Weekly Monday & Tuesday until September 29, 2026
Venue: Biidaasige Park, 39 Commissioners St., Toronto
Learn about Toronto’s newest waterfront park at guided walks that explore its Indigenous placekeeping and culture, as well as discussions on the area’s ecological restoration and urban biodiversity.
Heritage Toronto: Resistance and Reconciliation in York
Date: September 19, 2026, 3:00 PM
Venue: Starts at Wells Hill Park, 145 Hilton Ave., Toronto
On this walking tour in the Bathurst and St. Clair area, hear inspiring stories of Indigenous resistance, healing, and community-building and explore the enduring Indigenous presence through its parks, public art, and community spaces.
St. Lawrence Market: ReconciliAction Market
Date: September 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: St. Lawrence Market, Market Street, Toronto
St. Lawrence Market hosts the ReconciliACTION Market, featuring an Indigenous artisan craft market, as well as food, workshops and live performances by Indigenous artists.
Bata Shoe Museum: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration
Date: September 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. West, Toronto
Join the Bata Shoe Museum for a thoughtful conversation with Ojibwe Kwe author, educator, and Residential School survivor, Karen Chaboyer to honour the experiences of Residential School survivors.
Toronto Zoo – National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day
Date: September 30, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Venue: Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto
The Toronto Zoo offers complimentary admission to Indigenous Peoples and hosts programming for guests to explore, reflect and learn in the First Nation Art Garden.
Toronto Council Fire Legacy Gathering
Date: September 28-30, 2026
Venue: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. West, Toronto
The Indigenous Legacy Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square, by the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, celebrates cultural diversity.
Truth & Reconciliation: An Evening of Reflection
Date: September 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Distillery District, 55 Mill St., Toronto
In association with the Anishnawbe Health Foundation, the Distillery District invites visitors to gather for an evening of reflection, learning and connection.
Native Child & Family Services: Annual Pow Wow
Date: October 3, 2026, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin Street, Toronto
Native Child & Family Services’ Annual Community Pow Wow includes a sunrise ceremony, lots of dancing, vendors, food and giveaways.
Toronto — Arts Events
Toronto Public Library: Orange Shirt Day Programs
Date: Various
Branches across Toronto recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day with crafts, such as customizing your own unique shirt and making beaded pins, along with Indigenous storytime sessions, film screenings and live performances.
Village at Black Creek: Changing the Narrative
Date: Ongoing
Venue: Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto
The Village at Black Creek began the multi-year project Change the Narrative in 2017, in collaboration with Indigenous community members, scholars, artists and elders. It features research, art, exhibits and events to bring Indigenous voices and perspectives to The Village.
North York Arts: Unveiling Art Connects
Date: September 26, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St., Toronto
Join Waskwane Design and North York Arts at Gibson House Museum for the unveiling of the Art Connects Mural, which honours Truth and Reconciliation and reflects community spirit.
East End Arts and the Danforth Multifaith Commons of East End United Regional Ministry (EEURM): Indigenous Roots 2.0 Celebration
Date: September 24, 2026, 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Venue: East End Food Hub, Glen Rhodes Campus, 1470 Gerrard St. East, Toronto
Celebrate talented local Indigenous artists and honour Indigenous Culture and History for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Seeing Red: Runway of Rezilience
Date: September 26, 2026, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Venue: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Produced by Seeing Red, this Indigenous-led multidisciplinary arts experience brings Indigenous designers, artists, musicians, and storytellers together for a celebration of Indigenous culture and creativity under this year’s theme, “Skywalkers”.
The Word on the Street Festival
Date: September 26-27, 2026
Venue: David Pecaut Square, 215 King St. West, Toronto
The Word On The Street Festival (WOTS) is a free open-air book and magazine festival, plus an outdoor marketplace showcasing over 100 exhibitors, Canadian and Indigenous books, magazines, comics, and more for readers of all ages.
Tkaronto Open IV
Date: September 26, 2026
Venue: Union Station, 65 Front St., Toronto
Tkaronto Open III is a special gathering co-presented with Union Station, Fall For Dance North, & TO Live, with support from The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto, to celebrate Indigenous culture with a Pow Wow Dance Competition. Honour the beauty of Indigenous culture with performances by dancers from across Turtle Island.
Village at Black Creek: Reconciliation Walk & Indigenous Art Trail
Date: September 27, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto
Offering free admission to The Village on September 28, visitors are invited to wear an orange shirt on this day of education and remembrance, as well as contemplation and reflection. View art installations by local and Indigenous artists and participate in art-based activities.
Revue Cinema – Film Screening: “SLASH/BACK” (2002)
Date: September 30, 2026, 9:30 PM
Venue: Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
The Revue Cinema hosts a free/pay-what-you-can screening of “SLASH/BACK” (2002), with partial concession proceeds and donations directed to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Greater Toronto Area
Chippewas Of Georgina Island Pow Wow
Date: September 26-27, 2026
Join the Chippewas of Georgina Island at their two-day Pow Wow, with the yearly theme “Spirit of the Drum”. Feel the warmth of community in a family-friendly atmosphere and enjoy powerful drumming, traditional dancing, singing, authentic crafts and food vendors.
Bradley Museum, Mississauga: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Bradley Museum
Date: September 30, 2026
Venue: Bradley Museum, 1620 Orr Road, Mississauga
The Bradley Museum hosts hands-on activities and free guided tours of the historic house and museum grounds while sharing the history of Indigenous peoples on the treaty lands now known as the City of Mississauga.
Woodland Cultural Centre: National Day For Truth And Reconciliation
Date: September 30, 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Venue: Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk Street, Brantford
Join Brantford’s Woodland Cultural Centre for cultural performances, guest speakers, film screenings, Indigenous artisan market, and more. Self-guided tours of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School will also be offered throughout the day.
The Indigenous Network: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Date: September 30, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: 4150 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga
Gather to honour this important occasion through film screenings, Indigenous vendors, arts-based activities, Sacred Fire, community information, and a reflective walk through the park.
Town of Georgina: Flag Raising
Date: September 30, 2026, 4:00 PM
Venue: Georgina Civic Centre, 26557 Civic Centre Road, Keswick
The Town of Georgina, in partnership with the Chippewas of Georgina Island, holds a flag-raising at the Civic Centre, including a smudging ceremony and a drummer.
Heart Lake Conservation Park: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
Date: September 30, 2026, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: Heart Lake Conservation Park, 10818 Heart Lake Road, Brampton
The Four Colours Drum Circle and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) host an event at the Medicine Wheel Garden in Heart Lake Conservation Park in Brampton to commemorate the Children of the Residential Schools and to comfort all affected families.
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund: Celebrating Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip
Date: October 15, 2026, 7:30 PM
Venue: FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines
In support of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, this annual concert honours Gord Downie’s lasting legacy, featuring The Secret Path Band and Strictly Hip.
Nationwide
Truth and Reconciliation Week
Date: September 21-25, 2026
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba hosts a national program open to all schools across Canada.
Orange Shirt Day
Date: September 30, 2026
Inspired by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad’s story of being stripped of her possessions upon arrival, people across the nation wear orange shirts to remember these indignities.
Downie & Wenjack Fund: A Day to Listen
Date: September 30, 2026, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
With more than 540 participating radio stations across the country, A Day to Listen uses the power of radio to inspire people throughout Canada to move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways.
Culture Days
Date: September 30, 2026
This annual nationwide culture festival commemorates the NDTR with events and resources aimed at uplifting Indigenous communities and sharing the perspectives of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
Further Information and Playlists
City of Toronto: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Information
The City of Toronto Culture Department website page lists many excellent resources and different ways to honour this important yearly event.
Toronto Public Library: Read Indigenous
Toronto Public Library’s Indigenous Advisory Council has selected a yearly list of books written by Indigenous authors, writers, illustrators and Knowledge Keepers. It also includes many titles intended for kids and teens.
CBC Kids YouTube Channel: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CBC Kids’ YouTube channel features a playlist of videos for kids, featuring facts about Indigenous issues, as well as stories and crafts.
APTN Special Programming
APTN, Canada’s Indigenous television channel, broadcasts special programs September 30th in honour of the survivors of residential, day, and boarding schools. Their website also lists some meaningful ways to participate in this day of remembrance and reconciliation.
Find more Special Events in Toronto and the GTA here…
