United Way honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) which is observed every year on September 30 across Canada. This year marks five years of officially commemorating NDTR as a nation. Rooted in the tragic history and ongoing impact of residential schools in Canada, this statutory holiday honours the survivors, their families and the children who never returned home.
NDTR is held alongside Orange Shirt Day, symbolizing the importance of remembering the experiences of Indigenous children in these institutions. The inspiration for Orange Shirt Day comes from Phyllis Webstad’s story – at just six years old, her brand-new orange shirt was taken away from her on her first day at residential school. Her story sparked a movement—one that emphasizes “Every Child Matters.” Read Phyllis’ Story to better understand the meaning behind the Orange Shirt Day.
For non-Indigenous people, this day provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of our shared history, honour the resilience and healing of residential school survivors and contribute to building a society rooted in justice and fairness for all. While the day acknowledges a painful and traumatic past, it also highlights the strength and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures that continues to shape Canada.
Ways to Observe NDTR
Wear an Orange Shirt
Wear an orange shirt on September 30 as a visible act of solidarity and respect.
Attend Local Events
Attend local events and activities to raise awareness about the former residential school system in Canada and gather together in the spirit of reconciliation.
Here are a few local events:
ALIGN Association of Community Services
The City of Calgary
Heritage Park
- Various programs across the park
- Free admission for anyone who self-identifies as Indigenous
Mount Royal University
University of Calgary
Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons)
- Indigenous Makers and Pow Wow Showcase
- Gallery Talks and Tours
- Echoes of the Land
- Elders Story Project
Learn about and Use Land Acknowledgement
“When we talk about land, land is part of who we are. It’s a mixture of our blood, our past, our current and our future. We carry our ancestors in us, and they’re around us. As you all do.” – Mary Lyons (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe)
A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement by a non-Indigenous person that honours and recognizes the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. While the meaning of land acknowledgements can vary, one helpful way to understand them is through the following perspectives:
- They are “a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life” (Native Land Digital).
- They are “a relational process, which means that the meaning and purpose of it changes across time and space, and with the specific context in which it takes place” (Native Governance Centre).
- They are “[a way] to acknowledge unceded and treaty territories … to speak to the truth of First Nations land claims, stolen lands and to recognize the fiduciary responsibility of the Crown” (First Nations Health Authority).
Together, these understandings emphasize that land acknowledgements are not just symbolic gestures. They are opportunities to reflect on history, recognize ongoing Indigenous presence and rights and commit to respectful relationships with the lands and peoples where we live and work.
Learn about and use Land Acknowledgement—for adults
- Calgary Foundation: What is Land Acknowledgement?
- Native Land Digital Map: Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land
- Who’s Land (Map): Whose Land – Welcome!
- Guide To Land Acknowledgement: A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment – Native Governance Center
Learn about and use Land Acknowledgement—for children:
- Calgary Public Library: Treaty 7 Children’s Land Acknowledgment
- Flannelgraph: Children’s Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgment
Learn the correct Pronunciation of Indigenous Words
Take Indigenous language courses from fluent speakers and Elders to learn the correct pronunciation and context of Indigenous words and sentences.
As an enhancement to language courses, support language revitalization and understanding through Indigenous language apps; these are only few examples and there are others focusing on other Indigenous languages:
- Blackfoot Language App (Blackfoot on the App Store)
- Plains Cree Language App (Plains Cree Conversation on the App Store)
- Stoney Nakoda Language App (Stoney Language Dictionary on the App Store)
- Michif Language App (Michif Lessons on the App Store)
Deepen your understanding with Books and Stories
Build your bookshelf with works by Indigenous authors and stories that deepen your understanding.
Here are some examples:
- 21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
- All Our Relations
- Decolonization and Me: Conversations about healing a Nation and Ourselves by Phyllis Webstad and Kristy McLeod; from the Orange Shirt Movement
- Fire Keeper, a novel by Katłı̨̀ą
- Five Little Indians (novel)
- Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, & Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
- Ohpikiihaakan-ohpihmeh (Raised somewhere else, A 60s Scoop Adoptee’s Story of Coming Home by Colleen Cardinal foreword by Raven Sinclair (Ótiskewápíwskew)
- Simple version of the Indian Act.pdf
- The Canadian Children’s Book Centre: Truth and Reconciliation Book List
- Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada; by Michelle Good
- Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation; by Andrew Stobo Sniderman & Douglas Sanderson (2022)
Watch and listen
Tune into documentaries, films and podcasts to learn more about reconciliation.
Below are a few examples.
Documentaries and films
- Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again
- Ninan Auassat: We, the Children
- Reconciliation Documentary Film Pack
- Singing Back the Buffalo
- Sugarcane – exposes truths about Indigenous schools in Canada.
- The Stand (2024 film)
- Yintah
Podcasts
- #126: Truth and Reconciliation | Podcast | Alumni | University of Calgary
- A leader’s guide to the Indian Act | Rotman School of Management
- Red Man Laughing
- S2: The Indian Act | The Secret Life of Canada | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen
- The Indian Act: Part 1–The Voiceless: A True Crime Podcast
- Unsettled: Journeys in Truth and Conciliation
Support Indigenous-Owned Businesses
Shop local to support economic reconciliation
- Moonstone Creation
- Rainy Chief Trading Post
- Attend year-round community events that have Indigenous vendors
Online Resources and Toolkits
Visit trusted links for learning, teaching and participating in reconciliation work.
Websites to connect and make relatives
- Brown Bear Woman Events – Indigenous History and Culture
- Circle of Wisdom Elders & Seniors Centre
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Phyllis’ Story – Orange Shirt Society
Digital resources
- 2025 NDTR Resource Guide – Rise Consulting
- Empowering the Spirit
- Eighth Annual (2022) Statutory Report Pursuant to Section 2 of the Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act, Statutes of Canada, Chapter 38, 2014
- Government of Canada – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Government of Canada – Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- Government of Canada – Reconciliation
- Introduction to the Indian Act – AFN It’s Our Time Toolkit
- Learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada
- Modern Treaties in Canada: A One Hour Course → What is a Treaty? – Land Claims Coalition
- National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education – NCCIE
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Truth and Reconciliation | Calgary Public Library
United Way resources
- Akak’stiman: Journey of Creative Planning to Achieve Goals is a living strategy that guides United Way’s business practices, Indigenous-focused investments and our relationships with Indigenous communities. This link will take you to the summary of the strategy.
- Being an Ally to an Indigenous Person
The journey to reconciliation is long and personal. Whether you’re learning to pronounce words in Blackfoot, acknowledging the land you live on or reading Indigenous literature, each action builds toward collective healing.
United Way of Calgary and Area is deeply committed to our organizational Indigenous strategy, Akak’stiman: Journey of Creative Planning to Achieve Goals, which reflects the spirit and intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. This strategy guides our business practices, Indigenous-focused investments and our relationships with Indigenous communities.
Let September 30 not be the only day we reflect but a meaningful reminder to commit every day to truth and reconciliation.