The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Alberta, and across Canada, is observed on September 30th each year, and it is a day to reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools. While it’s a federal statutory holiday, not all provinces observe it as a paid day off. In Alberta, it’s a day for learning, reflection, and remembrance, with various events and activities planned to honor the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process of building positive relationships between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians. It involves addressing the injustices of the past and working towards a more just and equitable future. Reconciliation requires a commitment from all Canadians to listen to Indigenous voices, learn about Indigenous cultures, and work towards meaningful change.
Listen to this short and deeply poignant speech from 2020 Junos delivered by Elder Dr. Duke Redbird, a celebrated Indigenous Visionary as well as an established public intellectual, poet, broadcaster, and filmmaker His words, coupled with the haunting reality of the tragic past of Canada’s Indigenous Populations, will move you to the core. Shortly after thousands of Indigenous children’s bodies were found buried in mass graves under the grounds of former Residential Schools in Canada, Duke was invited to open the 2020 Juno Awards where he recited his poem Stolen Children, Stolen Souls.
ALIGN Resources
ALIGN Association of Community Services is dedicated to upholding the principles of Truth and Reconciliation and are committed to supporting the well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, youth, families, and communities.
Journey to Reconciliation (ALIGN) How do you, as an agency, advance reconciliation? ALIGN is here to support you in developing practical and actionable plans. We hope you are advancing your thinking, planning, and practices to create meaningful change. Reconciliation is not a destination but a journey. For over a decade, we’ve focused on providing resources, educational materials, tips, and training to support your progress.
Now is the time to develop, share, and implement a clear reconciliation plan. Work collaboratively with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to build trust and create shared benefits. Reconciliation is about reflection, learning, and action. It begins with examining our own biases, understanding where they come from, and committing to… Read Full
Learn more about ALIGN’s Commitment to Truth & Reconciliation, ALIGN’S Indigenous Cultural Understanding Framework (ICUF), ALIGN Well-being In Child and Family Services Toolkit, ALIGN’s “Reconciliation Talks” Blog and additional resources related to The Federal Act Under Bill C-92.
Host an Event!
USAY Virtual Escape Room Build Deeper Understanding About Residential Schools and Indigenous History.
Host a virtual room today.
Della’s Story – Virtual Escape Room
James’ Story Virtual Escape Room
Learn more about Residential Schools on your path toward reconciliation.
Teams: 3 to 8 people recommended·
Ages 14+ only (not recommended below high school age)
All times are in Mountain Time (9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM)
Cost: Now free for a limited time, donations are accepted
Caring Across Boundaries Online Exhibition
Host the virtual exhibition in your organization or community
Caring Across Boundaries is an online exhibition engaging First Nations and all peoples of Canada in reconciliation to promote the wellbeing of First Nations children and youth. The purpose of the exhibition is to bring to life the challenges and dreams of First Nations communities with the goal of promoting understanding and contributing to the process of reconciliation between Aboriginal Peoples and people in Canada. In this exhibition, three First Nations communities share their daily experiences while inviting every person in Canada to make a positive difference for First Nations children and their families.
Reconciliation Canada KITCHEN TABLE DIALOGUE GUIDE PDF For Individuals, communities and organizations
Host A Kitchen Table Dialogue.
A Kitchen Table Dialogue creates space for constructive conversations on reconciliation. This do-it-yourself framework allows Indigenous peoples and all Canadians the opportunity to gather their friends, family, neighbours and/or colleagues to join the dialogue on reconciliation and contribute to the movement, helping.
Attend an Event
Truth and Reconciliation Week September 22 – 26, 2025 (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation)
During Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025, daily FREE Lunch and Learn webinars are open to the public. UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. These 50-minute sessions will begin at 12:00pm CDT each day.
Learn MoreLoving Justice Wīciwikamātowin ~ Supporting Each Other Conference 2025 (Our Children Our Way) Sept 8 – 11, 2025 Sâskwatôn, SK
With the theme of “Supporting Each Other”, the national conference offers an opportunity to exchange experiences, highlight achievements, empower our kin and explore strategies in Indigenous child and family jurisdiction. This conference will create a platform for First Nations, and Indigenous organizations to share and mobilize both modern and traditional knowledge in response to the evolving landscape of Indigenous child and family jurisdiction.
Creating Hope Society of Alberta “From Acknowledgment to Action: A Reconciliation Journey,” September 30, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Edmonton
Bringing together 500 Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to raise awareness about Indian Residential Schools and the 60s Child Welfare Scoop. The day will feature a documentary screening of “Honour To Senator Murray Sinclair,” a panel discussion on trauma, a moment of silence for survivors, an exhibit by Elder Terry Lusty, and the Truth and Reconciliation Recognition Award to honor reconciliation.
The Confluence Symposium October 3 – 5, 2025, Calgary
Presented in partnership by The Confluence and the University of Calgary, The Confluence Symposium will bring diverse experts together to discuss and reflect on the historical and contemporary impacts of colonialization on Indigenous Peoples and our society.
Additional
WATCH
Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada
Chief Robert Joseph shares his experience as a residential school survivor and the importance of truth and reconciliation in Canada.
The Secret Path (Documentary) CBC
The Secret Path is an animated film from Gord Downie that tells the true story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old boy who died while trying to escape from a residential school and travel back home.
VIDEO: Talking to kids about Residential Schools
In this video, Monique Gray Smith share tips on both talking to kids about Residential Schools, but also how to prepare yourself as the adult to have these conversations. The video is for parents, grandparents, educators…anyone really with children in their lives. Also included are a number of author tips of books to read, and podcasts to deepen and continue your learning.
APTN TV First Contact
TV Series takes six Canadians, all with stereotypical opinions about Indigenous People, on a unique 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada. It is a journey that will turn their lives upside down, challenging their perceptions and confronting their prejudices about a world they never imagined.
The Fifth Estate Documentary Violation of Trust
A searing examination of Canada’s 100 years of native residential schools, where Indigenous children had their culture and language beaten out of them, leaving a legacy of alcoholism, abuse and emotional scars.
Holy Angels FREE STREAMING (National Film Board of Canada) 13 mins.
In 1963, Lena Wandering Spirit became one of the more than 150,000 Indigenous children who were removed from their families and sent to residential school. Jay Cardinal Villeneuve’s short documentary Holy Angels powerfully recaptures Canada’s colonialist history through impressionistic images and the fragmented language of a child. Villeneuve met Lena through his work as a videographer with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Filmed with a fierce determination to not only uncover history but move past it, Holy Angels speaks of the resilience of a people who have found ways of healing—and of coming home again
READ
Report: They Came for the Children: Canada, aboriginal peoples, and the residential schools (The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada)
This report, published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, deals with the history, purpose, operation, and supervision of the residential school system, the effect and consequences of the system, and its ongoing legacy.
Reconciliation Books – Alberta Focus
Those Who Know: Interesting book of interviews with Alberta Native elders.
The People: Historical Guide to the First Nations of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
From Treaties to Reserves: Political history of Alberta’s First Nations.
The Story of the Blackfoot People: Blackfoot traditions produced by a Native Alberta Museum.
The Plains Cree: Ethnography of the Cree Indians of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
My People, the Bloods: Book about the Kainai (Blood) Indians of Alberta.
LISTEN
Apple Podcast Sitting by the Fire CSPS Indigenous Learning
This podcast series offers topics that will expand your knowledge of First Nations, the Inuit and Métis. Hear from Indigenous people from all over Canada engaging in simple, sharing and truthful conversations, like those of friends gathered around the fire sharing stories in keeping with the oral tradition of Indigenous teachings.
UCalgary Recorded Indigenous Knowledge Lecture Series
This series is meant to highlight Indigenous leaders, scholars, artists and Knowledge Keepers, and spark key community conversations as we all work together to increase intercultural capacity and build good relations through awareness and knowledge.
LEARN MORE
Remembering the Children – Timeline Residential Schools – A Chronology
Key facts or events from 1857 – 2007.
CBC Residential School Map
The residential school system separated 150,000 Indigenous children from their families — and the last one closed in 1997.
CBC Beyond 94
This is an interactive monitoring of the progress of each Calls to Action that is regularly updated.
Submit your hopes for the future of reconciliation! (Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund)