City observes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to learn, reflect and connect
Press Release
September 27, 2023
The City of Edmonton invites Edmontonians to learn, reflect and connect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day that recognizes the history and legacy of residential schools.
“Officially recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in our City was an important step in our commitment to honouring Indigenous Peoples in Edmonton,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “So far we have made progress on addressing over 30 of the 94 Calls to Action, and this official civic holiday specifically supports Call to Action No. 80. I encourage Edmontonians to take the opportunity on this day to better understand and reflect on the contributions, traditions, cultures and collective trauma of the diverse Indigenous Peoples who mark this territory. I am personally going to consider the ongoing effects of colonization today and every day, as I work with Administration on how we can address policies that do not embody the inclusive Edmonton we are building.”
The City’s journey to strengthen and build relationships with Indigenous peoples is guided and inspired by the Elder-shared concept of wahigicicobi, a lethka Nakoda word meaning “kinship relationships,” and is demonstrated through the City’s Indigenous Framework. Elders also shared the concepts of Wâhkôhtowin and ilagiingniq, the Cree and inuktun terms for “kinship,” with the City during the development of the Framework.
Events to encourage reflection
Edmontonians can engage in the reconciliation process by participating in local activities, learning opportunities and/or commemorative community events.
- In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the City is partnering with artist Lance Cardinal to host a blessing and performance to unveil a new decorative crosswalk at Indigenous Art Park ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ on September 28. Two traffic control boxes – near Kinsmen Park and City Hall, respectively – will also be wrapped with his artwork. For more information please see event details here: https://fb.me/e/1g0nhupR
- The Edmonton Police Service invites Edmontonians to join them on Friday, September 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sir Winston Churchill Square in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. EPS will serve bannock and soup and have performances by traditional pow wow dancers, a hoop dancer and drummers. Crafts available for friends and family. Elders will be present at this event.
- The City is partnering with Indigenous Runner RunConciliAction for the third annual Orange Shirt Day Run & Walk at Kinsmen Park from noon to 5 p.m. on September 30. In addition to the community walk and run, there will be many other Indigenous organizations and vendors on-site sharing about cultural practices, art, and community supports. The City’s Root for Trees team will be gifting visitors with 2,500 native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to honour the victims, families, friends and intergenerational survivors of residential schools. To help recognize the significance of this day, a City bus wrapped in an Indigenous art wrap designed in partnership with iHuman Youth Society will be on display. The bus, which features submissions from young artists nestled within a sweetgrass braid, remains in service year-round.
For a list of more events, visit edmonton.ca/TruthandReconciliationDay.
Affected City Programs and Services
The City has declared the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation a civic holiday. As such, there may be changes or adjustments to programs and services across the city on Saturday, September 30, as well as on Monday, October 2.
311/Edmonton Service Centre
311 will be closed Saturday, September 30. Regular hours resume Sunday, October 1. The Edmonton Service Centre will be closed Monday, October 2.
City Recreation Facilities
On Saturday, September 30, holiday hours will be in effect at City recreation facilities with no registered programs. Regular hours will resume on October 2, with drop-in programs available. Visit edmonton.ca/reccentres for more information.
Edmonton Transit Service
On September 30, buses will run regular Saturday service. On October 2, buses will run regular weekday service with no Catholic school service in lieu of the holiday. To plan your trip, visit edmonton.ca/transit.
Waste Services
On Saturday, September 30, the Reuse Centre and all Eco Stations will be closed.
City-owned vehicles
City-owned and leased trucks and vehicles, including buses, waste trucks, mowers, automated enforcement vehicles and fire trucks, will have an orange ribbon tied on in recognition of the day.
Flags and Lighting
The City will fly flags at half mast and light the High Level Bridge orange to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Edmonton City Hall will also have the Survivors’ Flag on display until October 10. The Survivors’ Flag honours the lives and communities affected by residential schools and features a symbolic design carefully chosen by survivors across the country.
All City employees
As in past years, City staff are encouraged to wear orange shirts or pins to demonstrate their support of this day.
Declaring a civic holiday is not equivalent to a provincial declaration of a statutory holiday and does not create any legal obligations for employers or businesses to close their offices or provide stat pay to their employees.
Also known as Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, as well as the children who never returned home. It is also a day to reflect and engage in dialogue and learning on the lasting impacts of colonization, anti-Indigenous systemic racism and on the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
For more information:
edmonton.ca/TruthandReconciliationDay
Media contact:
Lead Strategist
Executive Communications
Office of the City Manager
780-887-6435
ILR6
