Here’s how to mark Truth and Reconciliation Day in Calgary

Towns and cities across Canada are holding events in honour of National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30.

The day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

The government designated the day as a federal statutory holiday in 2021.

Here’s what’s happening in Calgary.

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Ceremonies and events

Orange Shirt Day Ceremony

The City of Calgary Orange Shirt Day Ceremony takes place from 9-10:30 a.m. at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to wear orange as a sign of support.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Indigenous Elders, and school board representatives will give presentations in the ceremony.  A blessing from an Elder and Indigenous dancers will start the event.

Events at UCalgary and Calgary Central Library

The University of Calgary and the Calgary Public Library (CPL) are hosting the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day on campus and at the Central Library on Sept. 29-30.

The events held are meant to raise awareness of the impact and legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School System, and to “bring people together in the spirit of reconciliation.”

Monday’s event, which is sold out, will feature a viewing of the film Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot man, directed by Sinakson Trevor Solway. The story is told through Solway’s eyes upon returning to his home nation of Siksika.

It is described as an intimate portrait of Indigenous masculinity, as fathers, sons, artists, athletes, and DJs “navigate what it means to be a man in a world that often misunderstands and stigmatizes them.”

CPL CEO Sarah Meilleur and UCalgary’s Dr. Michael Hart will also offer remarks.

Tuesday’s event at Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall on UCalgary will have a keynote address by award-winning investigative journalist, national bestselling author, and TV, radio and podcast host Angela Sterritt. The event will also be livestreamed.

Registration can be accessed here.

Lights to honour Orange Shirt Day

Calgary’s Reconciliation Bridge and the Centre Street Bridge will be illuminated in orange in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day, and as part of Calgary Culture Days.

Flags on city of Calgary buildings will be lowered to half-mast.

Road closures

There are dozens of road closures in the city that are ongoing and continuing through Orange Shirt Day.

However, several roads closed downtown will be reopened by then and are scheduled to conclude on either Sunday or Monday.

Roads that continue to be closed are:

• Memorial Drive between Centre Street and 10 Street NW – April to Nov. 30: Two-way traffic on the north side for Sunnyside Flood Barrier.
• Glenmore Trail at Heritage Drive – Sept. 29 to Oct. 3: Paving.
• Macleod Trail from Midlake Blvd to Canyon Meadows Dr – Sept. 6 to Dec. 15: Median barrier work; left lanes closed in both directions.
• 12 Avenue SE and Olympic Way – July 21 to Oct. 12: Full intersection closure.
• Northbound Macleod Trail between 15 Avenue and 14 Avenue SE – Aug. 11 to Oct. 3: Right lane closure.
• 9 Avenue SW between Centre Street and Macleod Trail – July 14 to Oct. 12: Deep utility construction; single lane during evenings and weekends.
• 11 Avenue SW between 1 Street SE and 1 Street SW – Sept. 29 to Oct. 4: Two left lanes closed for ENMAX utility work; Centre Street between 11 and 12 avenues operating two-way on the west side.
• 7 Street SW between 8 and 9 avenues – Aug. 22 to Oct. 5: Full road closure 24/7.
• 6 Avenue SW at 8 Street – Sept. 29 to Oct. 10: Two right lanes closed daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; one lane closed during peak periods.

An expansive list is on the city’s website.

You can also listen to 660 NewsRadio for traffic updates, or follow us for traffic and news updates on X @CityNewsCalgary or @NewsRadioCGY.

Calgary Transit

CTrains will be on a modified Saturday level of service, while On Demand will continue to provide regular weekday service.

More information can be found online.

Parking

Parking will be free in on-street ParkPlus zones on Sept. 30, and weekend rates will apply at all Calgary Parking parkades and surface lots.

Meanwhile, regular rates will be in effect at partner lots, such as TELUS Spark, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Zoo, and Heritage Park.

Facility closures

Several facilities will be closed for the holiday, including all arenas, indoor pools and fitness centres, the Calgary Soccer Centre, North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres, and the Animal Services Centre.

Registered programs and swimming lessons won’t run on Sept. 30.