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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Western
The annual observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) will be observed at Western University on Wednesday, September 30, with events and learning opportunities honouring the day throughout September and into October.
Western has designated September 30 as a non-instructional day, meaning no regularly scheduled classes are held. This allows everyone within our learning community to participate in events across campus and the London area that honours Survivors, their families, and the children who never returned home.
While NDTR is recognized once a year, the work of Truth and Reconciliation must be embraced every day by all Western units to foster meaningful and lasting change.
For questions, please contact indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca
OII-Led NDTR Events
Monday, September 21 – Mural Unveiling & Artist Talk
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Jeff and Shelley Parr Family Atrium, Thames Hall
- Celebrate the unveiling of a new mural in Thames Hall, Connection to Creation: Honouring
the Anishinaabe Story of Turtle Island. - Anishinaabe artist Jeannette Ladd shares the story and meaning behind the artwork.
- More details coming soon.
Monday, September 28 – Survivors' Flag Raising Ceremony
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Concrete Beach, University Community Centre
- Remarks from Elders, Indigenous community leaders and campus leadership speaking to the importance of Truth and Reconciliation at Western.
- Traditional drumming group during the ceremony
- Open to everyone
Wednesday, September 30 – Sunrise Ceremony
6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wampum Learning Lodge
- Sunrise Ceremony led by Elder Mike Hopkins
- Breakfast & refreshments to be served after the sunrise ceremony (while supplies last)
- Sacred fire to remain lit until 2 p.m., all visitors welcome throughout the day to pay respects and offer prayers
- Long skirts will be admired, but not required
- Open to everyone
NDTR Events Across Campus
Friday, September 25 – NDTR Concert: Rebecca Hass
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
von Kuster Hall
- Rebecca Hass (Nitaawegiizhigok — Singing Sky Woman) is in her 40th year as a classical mezzo-soprano, having appeared with nearly every opera company and orchestra in Canada. Today, she’s known for her passionate advocacy for reclaiming ancestral voice as a way of telling story, and for the new music she’s making at the meeting point of her two worlds.
- This event is presented as part of the Don Wright Faculty of Music “Fridays at 12:30” concert series.
- Livestream will be available.
- Complete details are listed on the event page.
Tuesday, September 29 – Anishinaabe Water Walk
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Patio behind Western Interdisciplinary Research Building
- Event part of Riverfest, hosted by the Indigenous Students' Association, Indigenous Student Centre, and Western Sustainability
- The event will begin with a talk by Wahsayzee Deleary, Loon Clan. Water is life, and this event will raise awareness around the sacredness of water and ways that we can help as humans to protect water. Participants will be encouraged to make their own connection to water as we walk along the Medway Creek.
- Attendees are encouraged to wear orange in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Ribbon skirts are traditional attire for Water Walks and are welcome, but not required.
- Open to everyone, registration is encouraged and coming soon
Wednesday, September 30 – Reflecting on Allyship in the Health Professions
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Health Sciences Building
- Event hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Join Frances Elizabeth Moore in a discussion around how allies can help to disrupt anti-Indigenous racism and shift towards a culturally appropriate, trauma-informed approach that recognizes self-determination and integrates traditional healing practice while creating your own beaded Orange Shirt Day pin.
- Advance registration is required and can be found on the event page.
More to be announced!
Missing an event? Submit your on-campus event details to indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca
Orange Shirts at Western
Designed by Indigenous student Kolbi Williams, new orange shirts are available at the Dellelce Family Bookstore.
All proceeds support the preservation of the last remaining building from the former Mount Elgin Residential School located in Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.
Engaging with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Toolkit (2026)
- Amplify NDTR messaging and events on social media from OII, Western University, Western units, and local First Nations and Indigenous organizations
- Attend faculty/department-specific events to learn how Truth and Reconciliation connects to your discipline and future career
- Wear orange and attend the September 28 Flag Raising Ceremony and September 30 Sunrise Ceremony to show solidarity
- Ask campus leaders how they are implementing Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2016)
- Join the Indigenous Student Association as an allied member
- Enroll in an Indigenous Studies course to deepen your formal education
- Amplify NDTR messaging and event information in all unit communication channels
- Host discipline‑specific learning events for staff, faculty, and students
- Invite Indigenous speakers to classes, meetings, or gatherings
- Sponsor exhibits on Indigenous histories, cultures, leadership, art, food, or traditions
- Review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, Principles for Truth and Reconciliation, and Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2016) and discuss how they apply to your unit
- Promote Orange Shirt Day and NDTR events (orange shirts available at the Western Bookstore)
- Encourage staff and faculty to complete the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation module (available on the OII website)
- Western Bookstore: Designed by Indigenous student Kolbi Williams (Six Nations of the Grand River). All proceeds go to the Save the Barn initiative for Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.
- Rezonance Printing: Design by a different Indigenous artist each year, created at an Indigenous-led screen printing shop in London. Adult and youth sizes available.
Additional guidance to inform and support campus initiatives:
Events in the Community
Monday, September 28 – A Night of Reflection
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Museum of Ontario Archaeology
- An evening of reflection, remembrance, learning and community, with Indigenous elders, a residential school Survivor, and the dancers of the Sweet Labour Art Collective for this deeply moving and meaningful gathering.
- Open to everyone.
- Learn more
Additional Learning Opportunities by the NCTR:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) offers educational programming to support age-appropriate learning about residential schools.
Lunch and Learns (September 21-25, 2026):
Lunch and Learn sessions are aimed at an adult audience, and open to the public, and will be hosted virtually over Zoom Webinar and streamed to YouTube.
- Monday, Sept 21 - Protecting Survivor Truths: Holding and Preserving Indigenous Lived Experience
- Tuesday, Sept 22 - Economic Reconciliation: Understanding Opportunities, Responsibilities, and Impact
- Tuesday, Sept 22 - Growing and Strengthening Indigenous-Newcomer Solidarity
- Wednesday, Sept 23 - Continuing the Conversation on Residential School Denialism
- Thursday, Sept 24 - Honouring Indigenous Leadership: Perspectives for a Shared Future
- Friday, Sept 25 - Inidgenous Youth Perspectives on Health and Wellbeing
Education Portal:
To assist teachers across Canada, NCTR created an education portal that offers free, age-appropriate, education curriculums for students in grades 1–12. Join us for an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada.