Calgarians honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 with a range of events across the city. 

The federal statutory holiday, originally known as Orange Shirt Day, is observed annually to remember and spread awareness of the Canadian Indian residential school system and the generational impact this has had on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. 

It began as an Indigenous-led grassroots movement in 2013, and was formally recognized as a nation-wide holiday in 2021 in response to Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Calgary residents have gathered to acknowledge the day every year since, including on Wednesday, which saw a variety of events. Many events were concentrated in the downtown core, including the 10th rendition of the Pokaiks Commemorative Walk and Gathering.

The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland opened the day with a flag-lowering ceremony. Emcee Chief Travis Plaited Hair of the Blood Tribe of Kainai Nation welcomed attendees at 9 a.m. and walked them through the program, starting with keynote speakers.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas opened with a message that looking back at past injustices and respecting standing agreements are more important than ever, especially ahead of the Alberta referendum. 

“For generations, institutions, politicians, governments, [and] well-intentioned faith leaders tried to take these things away, and thank God they failed,” said Mayor Farkas. 

“The Chiefs of Treaty 6, 7, and 8 have stood against separation, and I believe Calgary has a responsibility to listen.”

Indigenous leaders on reconciliation

After a moment of silence, a young group from the Blood Tribe performed an honour song on the drums. Elder Wanda First Rider spoke next, sharing her experience as a third-generation residential school survivor.

“I suffered a lot while I was in residential school,” she said. 

“I couldn’t speak the language, I was lonely, I suffered beatings from our caregivers, and I starved while I was there.”

First Rider explained that, when she left residential school, she was placed in a day home program hosted by settler families, where she was forced to assimilate. She said that these experiences have never left her, but that connecting to her roots has helped her heal. 

“I’ve been able to continue walking every day. I think about my experiences — it never ends,” said First Rider. 

“But what keeps me going is our ceremonies.”

For the last 50 years, she has lived in the city and worked with community organizations and school boards, including the Calgary Catholic School District, where she mentored Indigenous students. First Rider stressed the importance of the next generation reclaiming their culture. 

 “I encourage all the young people to learn your language,” she said. 

“You’ll become very smart in understanding and really know how to fit into the two worlds we live. Sometimes it’s a challenge to live in these two worldviews, and each day it’s an accomplishment for us.”

Suzie Crazy Bull, a young Blackfoot writer, followed, reflecting on her time in the foster care system and how she felt lost upon aging out. Her poem shared what it means to be a survivor of generational trauma, and how this has shaped her view of reconciliation.

“For me, I would tell them a memorized definition, because I have not yet experienced in this world, in this system, in these institutions, what it feels like to be truly seen, and I know for a lot of us people, we exist purely in survival,” she said. 

“Truth and reconciliation is us being here together. Truth and reconciliation is you and I being alive. Truth and reconciliation is what we do to wake up and try and be better.”

The event closed with several performances, including the Métis Jiggers and a youth drumming group, accompanied by powwow fancy dancers, and later a couple of acoustic songs by Armond Duck Chief, a 2016 Juno Award nominee from Siksika Nation.