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
St. Lawrence Market: ReconciliAction Market
When: September 22, 2024, 10:00am-4:00pm
Where: St. Lawrence Market, Market Street, Toronto
St. Lawrence Market partners with the Downie Wenjack Fund to present the ReconciliACTION Market, with performances by Indigenous artists, food and an Indigenous artisan market.
Native Earth Performing Arts: Community Gathering Fire
When: September 22, 2024, 1:00-5:00pm
Where: Regent Park, 600 Dundas St. East (Sackville & Oak), Toronto
Gather with families and community members at this gathering in the downtown area of Regent Park, hosted by Native Earth Performing Arts, Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous theatre company.
Toronto Council Fire Legacy Gathering
When: September 27-30, 2024, 9:00am-9:00pm
Where: 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.
Toronto Zoo – National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day
When: September 27, 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto
The Toronto Zoo offers complimentary admission on September 27th to Indigenous Peoples and hosts programming in partnership with Native Child & Family Services of Toronto at the First Nation Art Garden, including traditional smudging, singing, drumming and storytelling.
Native Child & Family Services: Annual Pow Wow
When: September 28, 2024, 6:00am-5:00pm
Where: 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.
The Word on the Street Festival
When: September 28-29, 2024
Where: Queen’s Park Crescent, from College Street to Wellesley Street
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.
Roncesvalles Village: 4th Annual Orange Shirt Walk
When: September 30, 2024, 3:30-5:00pm
Where: Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden, northernmost point of Roncesvalles Avenue
Hosted by Roncesvalles Village BIA, this gathering includes a “Orange Shirt” walk along Roncesvalles, ending at the newly installed murals by artist Nish.
Toronto — Arts Events
ReconciliACTION at the Market Gallery
When: Ongoing until December 29, 2024
Where: Market Gallery, 2nd Floor, 95 Front St. East, Toronto
Explore this free multimedia exhibition by Nyle Miigizi Johnston and W’ dae b’ wae, showcasing Anishinaabe stories and teachings through paintings, music, and animations, seeking to connect our past with our present while offering a vision for the future.
Koerner Hall: Tawich in the City – Celebrating Canada’s Great Inland Sea of James Bay and Hudson Bay
When: September 25, 2024, 7:00-9:30pm
Where: Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Indigenous music meets science meets art and much more in Tawich in the City, presented by Wildlands League and Mushkegowuk Council. This event will connect your heart and soul to Canada’s great inland sea and its incredible people.
Toronto Argonauts: Indigenous Culture Night
When: September 28, 2024, 7:00pm
Where: BMO Field, 170 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto
Featuring a specially-designed logo designed in partnership with Emily Kewagesh, an Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29, the Argos take the Montreal Alouettes while honouring the resiliency, strength and enduring spirits of Indigenous peoples.
The Village at Black Creek: Reconciliation Walk & Indigenous Art Trail
When: September 29, 2024, 11:00am-4:00pm
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto
In partnership with True North Aid, The Village at Black Creek hosts a free event where visitors are encouraged to wear an orange shirt, and then follow the self-guided Reconciliation Walk to learn more about the Residential School system, view art installations created by local and Indigenous artists, and take part in art-based activities.
Downsview Park: Teachings from the Land
When: September 29, 2024, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Ave, North York
Downsview Park hosts the outdoor educational program “Teachings from the Land”, where Carolynne Crawley, from Msit No’kmaq and Turtle Protectors, focuses upon breaking down ways of thinking that can separate people from the Earth through Indigenous perspectives.
Walmer Outdoor Movie Night
When: September 29, 2024, 6:30-9:00pm
Where: 38 Walmer Road, Toronto
Join a free outdoor screening of the Indigenous-made “Wilfred Buck” in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, hosted by TAS in partnership with the Walmer Road Baptist Church, curated by the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show.
Revue Cinema – Film Screening: “SUGARCANE”
When: September 30, 2024, 6:45pm
Where: Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
The Revue Cinema hosts a free/pay-what-you-can screening of “SUGARCANE, with partial concession proceeds and donations directed to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Koerner Hall: Tanya Tagaq and Lido Pimienta Commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
When: October 1, 2024, 8:00-10:00pm
Where: Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. West, Toronto
In an evening filled with music, storytelling, healing laughter and traditional drum and dance, Indigenous artists gather to perform, reflect, pay respect, and to give hope to the survivors of residential schools. Tickets are available to purchase, plus a limited number of free tickets will be available three hours prior to the event.
Toronto Public Library Programs
When: Various
- Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre: National Film Board of Canada Screening of “WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)”
When: September 19, 2024, 6:00-7:30pm - Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Branch: Unpacking Truths in Truth and Reconciliation
When: September 24, 2024, 6:30-8:00pm - Lillian H. Smith Branch: Movie – “Inconvenient Indian”
When: September 26, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm - Maryvale Branch: Youth Hub Movie Night – “Indian Horse”
When: September 27, 2024, 4:00-6:00pm - Morningside Branch: Indigenous Documentary Film – “Waapake / Tomorrow”
When: September 30, 2024, 6:00-7:30pm
Greater Toronto Area
Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum: Commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with Odeiwin (pre-registration required)
When: September 25, 2024, 6:00-8:00pm
Where: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 19 Civic Avenue, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Learn about the impact of Residential Schools and actions that can lead to Reconcilliation in this workshop that is free and open to all community members.
Bradley Museum, Mississauga: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Bradley Museum
When: September 28-30, 2024, 12:00-4:00pm
Where: 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 that are now known as the City of Mississauga.
Town of Georgina: Flag Raising
When: September 30, 2024, 3:30pm
Where: 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: 2024 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
When: September 30, 2024, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: 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.
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA): Indigenous Artists Showcase – Mimi O’Bonsawin
When: September 30, 2024, 8:00pm
Where: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA), 10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
In this free concert to honour the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, contemporary roots singer-songwriter Mimi O’Bonsawin performs rhythm and story-driven songs in an intimate yet uplifting experience for the audience.
Nationwide
Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024
When: September 23-27, 2024
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
When: September 30, 2024
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
When: September 30, 2024, 6:00am-6:00pm
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
When: September 30, 2024
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, including 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…
