The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. 

While it became a federal statutory day in June 2021, this year is the first as a provincial statutory holiday, so Manitobans can now come together and participate in events that promote education, understanding and healing. We’ve chosen a few to highlight. You can see additional Orange Shirt Day events in Manitoba by region here.

Walk

Wa-Say Healing Centre Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Pow Wow

Meet at the Oodena Circle Monday, September 30 at The Forks for a pipe ceremony at 10 a.m. The healing walk will begin at 11 a.m. and make its way through downtown Winnipeg to the Canada Life Centre for the Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow.

A Youth Gathering is set for the morning of September 30 at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre with ceremony, teachings, and activities at 445 King Street in Winnipeg. It is hosted by Tréchelle Bunn of Chan Kagha Otina Dakhóta Oyáte (Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation). Tréchelle played hockey for the Bison Women’s hockey team and founded the Reconciliation Run. You can see more of her story here.

The National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada will be hosting an Orange Shirt Day event on Monday, September 30 at 212‑5000 Crescent Road West in Portage la Prairie including an Honour Walk.

Run

The 2024 Reconciliation Run half marathon takes place Saturday, September 28 and will start at 9 a.m. at the ruins of the former Birtle Residential School, and conclude on Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation.

#ForTheW

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be hosting an Orange Shirt Game on Friday, September 27 at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear their orange Blue Bombers gear or orange shirts and the team will wear orange jerseys in the pre-game warm-ups. 

Watch

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is offering free, virtual 50-minute lunch and learn sessions leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a live broadcast produced by APTN, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, CBC/Radio-Canada and the Algonquin Nation. The 90-minute broadcast will begin at 2 p.m. local time on APTN and other supporting broadcasters on Monday, September 30.

Listen

The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba will be offering a guest speaker event at the Agowiidiwinan Centre (15 Forks Market Rd.) on September 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join Treaty Commissioner Loretta Ross and Elders Philip and Florence Paynter as they discuss treaty rights to education, residential schools and reconciliation.

Witness

The Witness Blanket contains over 800 items collected from residential schools, churches, and government buildings from across Canada. This large-scale art installation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights stands as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian residential school era, to honour the children and families, and to symbolize ongoing reconciliation. The Museum will be open and free on Monday, September 30.

Widen understanding

The Manitoba Museum (190 Rupert Ave, Winnipeg) is hosting Orange Shirt Days from Saturday, September 28 to Monday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering visitors special, all-day programming focused on the history and the impacts of Indian Residential Schools. Admission is free. 

Health and Healing

University of Manitoba Events including a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event presented by Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health & Healing on Friday, September 27, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at the Brodie Atrium & Mishkiki Gitigaan (Medicine Garden).

Join the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Indigenous Health Grand Rounds Workshop - Our Stories Shape Us — with Elder Geraldine Shingoose this Friday, Sept. 27 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Please note that this event is limited to Manitoba health system staff only. Call (204) 940‑8880 or 1−877−940−8880 (toll free).

Art and Artists

The Colour Orange is an evening at Pineridge Hollow in partnership with Anish Healing Centre, Saturday, September 28 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Pineridge Hollow. The event includes an Indigenous Art Gallery in The Forest featuring local Indigenous artists, culture and community to honour the Residential School Survivors and their families.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is partnering with Hey Cuzzin! to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30. The event is made up of staff and volunteers from Bear Clan Patrol, Blue Thunderbird Family Care, Centre de Santé, Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute, Jessie Home Inc, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, Manitoba Moon Voices, Neecheewam Inc, Pitikwe Skatepark, sākihiwē festival, Winnipeg Art Gallery, and Women’s Health Clinic.

Brandon Truth and Reconciliation Week

The Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, is holding various events for the week of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on their grounds.

• September 30, 12:00 PM: Orange Shirt Day Walk
• October 4, All Day: Sisters in Spirit Healing by the River day-long event to celebrate Indigenous traditions and offer a space for healing and reflection.

To learn more about these activities, see the event poster here.