2024 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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.

Across this land, people will be taking time to honour this day in a variety of ways, both public and personal.

We invite you to share how you will be showing your support for Residential School Survivors on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

We welcome Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack as our keynote speaker. Francis is from the Saddle Lake First Nation and will be sharing his heartfelt story as a residential school survivor. In addition, Francis as a community leader and educator will share his thoughts on reconciliation and his accomplishments that led to him being a recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Alberta and having a school named after him by the Edmonton Public School Board. Francis’s story of loss, strength, resilience and hope will be inspirational and leave a lasting memory for all.

Read his full bio here.

Download the printable poster here.

Come learn with us on Wednesday, September 25 at 12:00 p.m. Join us online or in-person at Bernard Snell Hall Theatre at the University of Alberta Hospital.

Sponsored by Edmonton Zone Primary Care Networks Committee

130 residential Schools operated in Canada between 1831 and 1996. More than 150,000 children attended, and many of them never returned home. Learn more on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's Interactive Map.

Most of the residential schools were in the 4 Western provinces, with 25 schools located in Alberta.

If you need support, a National Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support to former students. This 24-Hour Crisis Line can be accessed at: 1-866-925-4419.

Source: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.

The TRC’s mandate was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience. This included First Nations, Inuit and Métis former residential school students, their families, communities, the churches, former school employees, government officials and other Canadians.

In June 2015, the TRC held its closing event in Ottawa and presented the executive summary of the findings contained in its multi-volume final report, including 94 "calls to action" (or recommendations) to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous Peoples.

Learn about the 94 Calls to Action by reading the full report here.

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 will commemorate the day with reflective sessions on Wednesday, September 25.

Download the printable poster here.

Session 1: Truth & Reconciliation
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Jesse Alook
Click here to register and join
In this session you will learn the history of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and discuss the health-related Calls to Action.

Session 2: Allyship and ReconciliACTION
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Kendra Deveau
Click here to register and join
As we gather in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and communities, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a critical time for non-indigenous folks to step up in meaningful ways. This national day of mourning is an important time for all Canadians to recognize and honour those impacted by the history and legacy of the residential school system. In this session, we will explore what it means to show up for Survivors and their families, discussing ways that helpers, allies and accomplices can use the principle of Ethical Space to advance reconciliation through authentic action.

Session 3: Keynote
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack
Click here to register and join online
Or join us in person at the Bernard Snell Hall Theatre at the University of Alberta Hospital.
We welcome Elder Dr. Francis Whiskeyjack as our keynote speaker. Francis is from the Saddle Lake First Nation and will be sharing his heartfelt story as a residential school survivor. In addition, Francis as a community leader and educator will share his thoughts on reconciliation and his accomplishments that lead to him being a recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Alberta and having a school named after him by the Edmonton Public School Board. Francis’s story of loss, strength resilience and hope will be inspirational and leave a lasting memory for all.

Session 4: Reconciliation in Healthcare: A Special Thank You Dance
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Click here to register and join online
Or join us in person at the Bernard Snell Hall Theatre at the University of Alberta Hospital.
Truth and reconciliation within healthcare includes integrating culturally-safe care and healing practices for Indigenous patients and families during their care journey. This session will share the story of an Indigenous family who overcame incredible odds at the Stollery Hospital in Edmonton in 2024. Thanks to the culturally-centred care and support received from the Pediatric Trauma/Surgery healthcare team, their son avoided a limb amputation and successfully returned to pow wow dancing. Now overwhelmed with gratitude, the family wishes to show their appreciation for the blessings they have received by performing a special thank you dance – a tea dance.

Session 5: Sharing Circle/Debrief
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Click here to register and join
AHS recognizes this day may be heavy and we want to be aware of vicarious trauma that may surface with AHS staff and participants who attended the day's sessions.

We will be facilitating a sharing circle as an opportunity to provide a venue that is safe for those that wish to attend to assist in seeking emotional/mental support in processing uncomfortable thoughts and emotions that have surfaced. This is optional and we welcome all to attend and know we are here to listen.

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:

Throughout the month of September, we encourage you to contemplate what reconciliation means to you.

Take a look at some of our previous presentations on our AHS Virtual Sessions Playlist.