2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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Thank you for taking part in the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  We encourage you to continue to explore ways to put reconciliation into action.

Wearing an orange shirt symbolizes the harm done to residential school students and their families and shows a commitment to the principle that every child matters. By acknowledging and understanding the truth of the past, we can take steps to move forward towards reconciliation.

AHS has been commemorating Orange Shirt Day on September 30 for many years, to recognize the history and truthful impacts of residential schools in Alberta. The Orange Shirt Day movement started in 2013 after a Residential School Survivor spoke about having the orange shirt her grandmother bought for her taken away on her first day of school when she was 6 years old. Read her story here.

In 2021, Orange Shirt Day became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. AHS will be commemorating the day with reflective sessions on Friday, September 29. We encourage everyone to honour September 30 as a day of personal reflection or to take part in events in your community.

Wearing an orange shirt symbolizes the harm done to residential school students and their families and shows a commitment to the principle that every child matters. By acknowledging and understanding the truth of the past, we can take steps to move forward towards reconciliation.

AHS has been commemorating Orange Shirt Day on September 30 for many years, to recognize the history and truthful impacts of residential schools in Alberta. The Orange Shirt Day movement started in 2013 after a Residential School Survivor spoke about having the orange shirt her grandmother bought for her taken away on her first day of school when she was 6 years old. Read her story here.

In 2021, Orange Shirt Day became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. AHS will be commemorating the day with reflective sessions on Friday, September 29. We encourage everyone to honour September 30 as a day of personal reflection or to take part in events in your community.

Thank you for taking part in the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  We encourage you to continue to explore ways to put reconciliation into action.

  • Every Child Matters - Phyllis' Story

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    The Orange Shirt Day movement started in 2013 after Residential School Survivor, Phyllis Webstad, spoke about having the orange shirt her grandmother bought for her taken away on her first day of school when she was 6 years old.

    She shares here story here:

  • AHS Sessions - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

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    September 30 is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, we honour the children who never returned home, Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Taking time to remember is an important part of moving towards reconciliation.

    AHS commemorated the day with reflective sessions on Friday, September 29.

    Session 1: Acknowledging the Truths (Session not recorded)
    Elder Lena Wildman
    9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.


    Session 2: Truth & Reconciliation (Watch the recorded presentation here)
    Jesse Alook, Indigenous Wellness Core
    10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.


    Session 3: Sixties Scoop
    Adam North Peigan, President, Legacy of Hope Foundation (Watch the recorded presentation here)
    12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    Video shared in the presentation: