Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
For a full schedule of events related to NDTR, please click here.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Since 2013, September 30 has been commemorated as Orange Shirt Day across what is now known as Canada in honour of the Survivors of Indian Residential Schools. This year, September 30 will also be designated as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). The date was declared a statutory federal holiday with the passage of Bill C-5 in June of this year, in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) welcomes the fulfilment of Call to Action 80, as it represents an opportunity to heighten focus on the history of Indian Residential Schools and the findings of the TRC. We invite all students, faculty, and staff to join in observance of NDTR across the campus, in the knowledge that advancing Truth and Reconciliation is a responsibility that belongs to everyone.
Looking for more information?
Read this document intended to provide educators, staff and leaders at Western University with information and context relevant to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation:Engaging with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Western PDF
Read 12 Ways to Engage in Reconciliation at Western
Explore the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's official reports and 94 Calls to Action here.
Observation of Orange Shirt Day and NDTR at Western
To observe Orange Shirt Day and NDTR at Western, OII has partnered with Altohsa Family Healing Services to present four events in various colonial and Indigenous spaces throughout September entitled ' ReconciliACTION: An (Un)Learning Series.' In support of efforts to raise awareness and education, Western University will have a flag-raising ceremony September 26, and illuminate campus in orange light on the 30th. We will have a booth at Atlohsa's NDTR event at The Green in Wortley Village on September 30. Stop by to contribute to our interactive art exhibit!
OII encourages everyone on campus to wear orange on September 30. You can purchase orange shirts from the Western Bookstore, as well as locally from Atlohsa and Rezonance Printing , not-for-profits that provide services and entrepreneurial opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in London, ON.
We hope that everyone at Western will participate in one or more programmed events designed to promote reflection on the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools and the critical importance of working for Truth and Reconciliation.
Below you will find an tentative overview of events to commemorate the NDTR on September 30.
Note that public health guidelines apply to all gatherings.
About our Orange Shirt Day Logo
Designed by Shana Elijah of Oneida Nation of the Thames, the logo features a baby wrapped in a moss bag, in a tikinagan (Cree) also known as a cradleboard (English). Shana describes the graphic as "a baby lovingly wrapped up in a cradle board. It goes along with the theme of every child matters. If we could, we’d have a cradle board for every child. It takes a lot of work to make one and decorate it for each child representing their family in the stitches, design and beadwork."
Going forward, we will be using this logo for Orange Shirt Day and to symbolize Truth and Reconciliation at Western.
Cradleboards are common in Anishinaabe, Cree and Haudenosaunee communities, keeping babies comfortable and swaddled while allowing them to be leaned up against a tree or rock so that their mother could still go about daily tasks, but the baby could still hear, see and smell everything around them. In many Indigenous cultures, we are taught babies learn from observing, before they are old enough to participate in community by doing. This cultural practice, like many others, was demonized and considered unhealthy for the baby by settlers and discouraged - however many people continued to use them regardless, and still use them today.
We would like to think of the work we do in Indigenous education is akin to building that tikinagan - reclaiming a safe place to learn and understand the world, rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being - for the youth, the next generations, as we work collectively to heal the impact of colonization on our communities and Peoples.
Starting the Day off in a good way
Watch Lan^stalukwas Elijah & Kay^thoke Honyust, Oneida Nation of the Thames youth, give an abbreviated version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, followed by an explanation by Haudenosaunee Knowledge Keeper Lo·t^t Honyust.
Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation throughout September
We humbly ask that you participate in theses events as well as help to raise awareness of the day by sharing this information with fellow students, colleagues, family, and friends. Please show your support by wearing orange on September 30th.
You can purchase Orange Shirts from Atlohsa Gifts and the Western Book Store.
Download the Indigenous Relations Academy Personal Pledge of Reconciliation here.
NDTR 2022—SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Updates to Information
We are still waiting for confirmation of some information and locations. Keep up to date by following us on social media. Follow @WesternuOII on Twitter.
Don't see your event here? Email indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca
Please note that not all events listed here are produced or managed by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives; consequently, comments or questions regarding events should be directed to their respective organizers
September 14, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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6:00 p.m. |
Archives and Archaeology - Binding Traditions: Western, Huron and Residential Schools By now, most people are familiar with the role of various church sects and the Canadian government in the Indian Residential School system – but what role did institutes of higher education play? In this talk, Thomas Peace draws on the biographies of Huron and Western alumni, staff, and donors to show how the university and the residential school system was interconnected, raising questions about what these truths mean for how we think about our university and its historical legacy. The Search of residential schools: With Residential School investigations gaining lots of attention in the media over the last year, the flurry of news coverage has caused confusion for some and highlighted questions regarding what Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology is capable of and how it works. Join Dr. Lisa Hodgetts, past-President of the Canadian Archaeological Association and Associate Professor of Archaeology at Western University, and Ed Eastaugh, Archaeology Lab Supervisor at Western, who will explain how the GPR equipment works and answer commonly-asked questions about the ground searches for missing children. Two Ground Penetrating Radars will be present for attendees to view and try using. Host: Lauren Poeta Facilitators: |
Huron University College |
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September 15, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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11:00 a.m. |
Reflection Circle – Welcoming Ceremony, Fire and Community Lunch |
King’s Green |
None |
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7:00 p.m. |
Public Lecture (King’s) Truth and Reconciliation: What We Inherited, and Actions We All Must Take Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nation |
Kenny Theatre (King’s University College) |
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September 20, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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6:00 p.m. |
Healing and Wellness with Jane Burning Indigenous peoples have faced ongoing colonialism for hundreds of years and yet, have continued to carry on our languages, ceremonies, and cultural practices to heal. Join us for a wellness session with Jane Burning where we will explore the effects of colonial trauma on our minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits as Indigenous people. Jane will speak about holistic wellness from an Indigenous perspective and guide us through a mindfulness session to reclaim our power & resiliency and awaken our inner healer. Situated within ReconciliACTION, a month-long speaking series, this session is a chance for Indigenous peoples to connect to our emotional and energetic bodies to process feelings that arise on our healing journey. Jane is a Holistic Consultant, FIT Teacher, Reiki Master, Author, and Motivational Speaker. After twelve years in the field of Child Welfare and Family Violence, Jane began her private practice with Universal Energy Training and Learning Center. She offered holistic counselling incorporating energy work and co-facilitated weekend retreats. Today, she continues to work independently as a holistic consultant creating and facilitating workshops which are developed through spiritual guidance.
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London Public Library (Stevenson & Hunt Room) 251 Dundas St, London, ON |
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Riverfest – Water Walk |
TBA |
September 21, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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2:00 p.m. |
Rick Hill IAiR presentation by Rick Hill “ How the Foundations of Haudenosaunee Aesthetics Survived Colonization” followed by Q&A at 3:15pm then coffee at 3:30pm. |
John Labatt Visual Arts Building |
Guests may attend the presentation in-person in the Visual Arts Centre Live-Stream Lab (Room 137E) or join in the live-stream over Zoom . Please note that Zoom registration is required prior to the event. |
September 22, 2022
| Time | Event |
Location |
Registration |
| 3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. |
Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Liz Akiwenzie discusses the importance of Truth and Reconciliation. |
Zoom | The Zoom link can be found here |
September 23, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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Laotsya:n - Truth and Reconciliation Edition 2022
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Posted on the website |
Subscribe here to receive the newsletter
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September 25, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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9:00 a.m. |
2 nd Annual Orange Shirt Day 5K run: In recognition of the National Day for Reconciliation, N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre will be hosting an in-person 5K fundraiser open to anyone who wants to run or walk. All proceeds will go towards N'Amerind, a non-profit, charitable Indigenous organization, which has been providing services and supports for the London and surrounding Indigenous Communities since 1965 (incorporated in 1967). All funds will be used for the continued efforts with the revitalization of language, culture and history from the impacts of colonization including Residential Schools. The 5K will start in Springbank Park at the Stone Cottage (1040 Flint Lane) and will be an out and back route utilizing the pathways.
Contact: Joel Kennedy ( jkennedy@namerind.on.ca)
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Springbank Park, Stone Cottage |
Yes – limited to 100 people but also come and support!
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September 26, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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9:45 a.m. |
Elder Opening |
Concrete Beach |
Open to all |
| 10:00 a.m. |
President Shepard Opening words on NDTR at Western, |
Concrete Beach | Open to all |
| 10:10 a.m. |
Christy Bressette Honouring the children, remembering the children, |
Concrete Beach | Open to all |
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10:20 a.m. |
Jody Noah student / community focus |
Concrete Beach |
Open to all |
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10:30 a.m. |
Raising the Every Child Matters Flag for the week |
Concrete Beach |
Open to all |
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3:30 p.m.— 5:30 p.m. |
Book Launch: Nii Ndahlohke: Boys’ and Girls’ Work at Mount Elgin Industrial School, 1890-1915 - Dr. Mary Jane Logan McCallum |
Huron University College Auditorium |
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6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. |
Language Revitalization Panel After hundreds of years of discrimination through residential schools and racist legislation, many Indigenous people were forced to stop speaking their languages, including the languages of our region: Ojibway, Oneida, and Lenape. When Indigenous languages are no longer spoken, we lose their beautiful gifts - to see the world through an Indigenous lens, where the earth is an animate being and how we relate to each other as kin. We invite you to explore the difficult, but exciting world of language reclamation through a moderated panel discussion with host, Summer Bressette. We will be joined by several first and second-language learners of Ojibwe, Oneida and Lunaape to explore the importance of language revitalisation, it’s role in education and cultural transmission, and the many triumphs and challenges of learning Indigenous languages for ourselves and communities. The moderated panel discussion will conclude with a question-and-answer period enlightened by our speakers. Moderator: Summer Bressette |
Museum of Archaeology | Open Talk |
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8:30 p.m. |
Orange Lights illuminate campus |
Alumni Hall University College
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No registration required. |
September 27, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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2:30 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. |
Riverfest 22' Closing Ceremony The ceremony will feature the Riverfest Art Exhibit in Cohen Commons with a Ribbon Grid and photography submissions crowdsourced from the campus community, along with a visual arts student project inspired by the prompt Wish on Water under the guidance of Professor Soheila Kolahdouz Esfahani. Guests will be invited to enjoy the art exhibit, connect with Riverfest organizers and participants across campus, while enjoying refreshments from Great Hall Catering. A keynote presentation will be delivered by Wahsayzee Deleary. Wahsayzee is an Anishinabekwe from Oneida Nation of the Thames and Deshkaan Ziibii (Chippewa of the Thames First Nation) as well as Kitigan zibi Anishinanbeg First Nation. Wahsayzee’s lineage on her fathers side is Pottawatomi, Ojibway, and Otomi. From her mothers lineage she is Algonquin, and French/German. Wahsayzee is Midewewin, and a member of the Three Fires Midewewin Lodge. She is Loon Clan, and is a mother and grandmother. She has been advocating for water and teaching about Anshinabe knowledge and lifeways for a majority of her life. She believes that this knowledge must be passed into the future and is a part of her life’s purpose to do that work. Wahsayzee has spent over 20 years in the fields of education and health and has begun a new career path in the area of child welfare. |
John Labatt Visual Arts Centre (VAC) Room: Cohen Commons, main floor 1151 Richmond St London, ON |
To register visit
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September 28, 2022
| Time | Event | Location | Registration |
| 6:00 p.m. —8:00 p.m. |
In recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we invite you to join us for a screening of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World. Rumble is a 2017 feature-length documentary film about Indigenous performers, composers and other contributors to the evolution of rock music. Directed by Catherine Bainbridge, a Canadian actor, producer, director and founder of Rezolution Pictures. Post-screening comments will be provided by Raj Singh, Post-Doctoral Scholar in the Don Wright Faculty of Music. Hosted by Professor Matt Stahl and music student Nicole Bussey. Q&A to follow the screening. Co-presented by the Faculty of Information and Media Studies and the Don Wright Faculty of Music Hosted by: FIMS and the Don Wright Faculty of Music |
Music Building (MB) Room: Von Kuster Hall |
Open to all |
September 29, 2022
| Time | Event | Location | Registration |
| 10:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m. |
London Public Library at Western: Indigenous Collections This campus event is brought to you by Western Libraries in collaboration with our municipal partner – the London Public Library! Come and chat with library staff about recent publications on Indigenous topics in book and digital format, from leisure reads to Indigenous law and learning modules. Western Libraries will be happy to demo and sign you up for one or two of our newly acquired education modules: Four Seasons of Reconciliation and the Path so you can deepen your cultural competencies and learn more about Indigenous communities in Canada. London Public Library will have Every Child Matters buttons in multiple Indigenous languages, Indigenous Culture Cards with information about local communities and you can, of course, signup for or renew your public library cards- just bring a piece of ID, or something else with your London address (phone or cable bill, etc ). Stop by and chat with our library staff about these important collections, ask questions and use this opportunity to let us know how you would like Western Libraries to continue expanding these resources. |
Room: Community Room (main floor 1151 Richmond St, London |
Open to all |
| 11:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. |
Reclaiming Power and Place: Executive Summary of the Final Report by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Throughout the 2021-22 academic year, the postdoctoral fellows at the Centre for Sustainable Curating in the Department of Visual Arts in collaboration with the Theatre Studies at Western program held weekly space for a durational reading of the executive summary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report ( TRC ), part of an initiative by the Canadian Association for Theatre Research. The reading sessions will unfold as follows: first we will spend a few minutes deciding who would like to read and for how long. One person will read at a time, then hand the reading over to the next person. After we have read for about 45-50 minutes, we will take approximately 10 more minutes to do some individual journaling, reflecting, and thinking on our own. You can have your audio and video on or off for this, and you do not have to share what you have written with the group. If you are unable to join us (or in addition to participating) please consider donating to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society . |
We invite the Western University community (and anyone else who would like to participate) to join us on Zoom every Thursday from 11am-12pm EDT/EST beginning on 29 September 2022 to read the document out loud together until completion. |
Sign up HERE to receive the link. |
| 1:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. |
A Conversation on Truth & Reconciliation On the eve of Canada's second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Yellowhead Institute is hosting an important conversation on the Calls to Action. Hear and learn from Indigenous leaders as they reflect on the Calls to Action and the meaning of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. An esteemed panel of Indigenous leaders - Cindy Blackstock, Kisha Supernant, Sheila Cote-Meek, Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Kunuk Inutiq, Janet Smylie, and Scott Franks - will discuss the importance of the ‘Legacy’ Calls to Action (1-42), the injustice of their incompletion, and the barriers to their completion. The discussion will be hosted by Dr. Eva Jewell and Dr. Ian Mosby, who lead the research for Yellowhead’s annual Calls To Action Accountability: A Status Update on Reconciliation analysis. |
Online Event |
To register for this online event visit: www.eventbrite.ca |
September 30, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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7:00 a.m. |
Ceremonial Nibi Run/walk hosted by: N'Amerind Friendship Centre Youth led event |
Residential School Monument at Chippewa to Ivey Park (London) |
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7:00 a.m. |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Lighting of the fire September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour those who survived residential schools and to remember those who did not. |
The Green (Wortley Village) 202-206 Wortley Rd. London ON |
Open to all |
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8:00 a.m. |
Launch of the Indigenous Learning Honour The Office of Indigenous Initiatives' new Memegwaanh Indigenous Learning Honour will recognize students’ engagement in efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation during their time at Western through academic coursework and extracurricular activities, such as community-engaged learning opportunities. Through the ILH, students will:
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9:00 a.m. |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Green |
Wortley Village on the Green |
Come visit with OII at our booth and check out the other community partners and initiatives happening that day at the Green. |
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10:00 a.m. |
An Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada, presented by Dr Dennis Michaelson. |
Amit Chakma Engineering Building (ACEB), Room 1450 |
For Registration click here RSVP by Tuesday 27th September. Please contact lbelz@uwo.ca if you require information in an alternate format or have other accessibility needs. |
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12:30 p.m. |
Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds joins composer/conductor Catherine Magowan and Western’s Dr. Spy Dénommé-Welch, composer, as they lead this Fridays concert commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Works include Sojourn by Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan and RADAR by Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan. |
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No registration required. |
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10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour those who survived residential schools and to remember those who did not. Join us as we come together for a gathering at The Green (Wortley Village) from 10:00am - 3:00pm. The gathering will feature singing, dancing, prayer, information booths, and more. All are welcome. |
The Green (Wortley Village) 202-206 Wortley Rd. London ON
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Open to all |
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2:00 p.m. |
Mural Unveiling |
N'Amerind Friendship Centre |
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6:00 p.m. |
We Were Children Film Screening In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th), the SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner and Commission are hosting a film screening of the 2014 docu-film, We Were Children. About the film: For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart. Refreshments (pizza and drinks) will be provided. |
Middlesex College, room 105b |
Registration required docs.google.com |
October 3, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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6:00 p.m. |
ReconciliACTION Beyond NDTR: The Calls to Action are not a checklist, but even if they were, not many have been crossed off since 2015. As indicated in the title of the panel, we can take direct strides both individually and structurally, towards reparations, healing and meaningful change, beyond the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation . Join us for a powerful conversation on what it means to truly reconcile, build good relations, and make space for collective healing, reclamation and reparations. This session will have interactive elements. Panelists: Dr. Eva Jewell (Yellowhead Institute), Chief Jacqueline Henry (COTTFN), Jody Noah (Southern First Nations Secretariat), Joe Antone (Health Advocate) |
TBA |
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October 4, 2022
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Time |
Event |
Location |
Registration |
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4:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. |
MMIWG2S Bring your own blanket, picnic style dinner seating options provided for those who have accessibility needs or prefer sitting at a table to eat. ISC is accepting donations of red dresses and shirts for this event, donations can be dropped off at the Indigenous Student Centre located in Western University's Student Services Building. For more details, contact Arbor Morris at amorr246@uwo.ca Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com |
Harris Park, 531 Rideout St. N, London ON |
Open to all
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October 6, 2022
| Time | Event | Location | Registration |
| 1:30 p.m. |
Live Webinar: Searching the NCTR Archives This online training session will include an overview of the NCTR Archives collections, search tips to navigate the AtoM database, and how to apply for access records that aren’t publicly available. |
Online via Zoom |
To register, you can click here After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. |
October 18, 2022
| Time | Event | Location | Registration |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Respect and Relationships: Learning from Haudeneosaunee Women Hosting: Dr. Beverley Jacobs The lecture is hosted by the Distinguished Speakers Committee and the Law and Feminism Research Group, both at the Faculty of Law. |
Western Faculty of Law Room: Moot Court Room 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7 |
Open to all and no registration is required |
Is your NDTR event not listed here?
Contact indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca to be added to the calendar!
