September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Canada. The day is marked in recognition of those children who never came home from residential schools, the ones who survived and to recognize the intergenerational trauma suffered by Indigenous families and communities.

Heritage Park has planned a day of programming, which will start with a Flag Lowering in the Plaza from 9:30-10 am.

In the Celebration Field starting at 10:30 am, four guest speakers will participate in a program to Honour the Survivors of Intergenerational Trauma. Speakers include:

Joe Starlight
Jesse Eagle Speaker
Arnie Narcisse
Wenona Bearshirt
At noon, in the spirit of reconciliation, join traditional drummers and singers who will honor the speakers participating in the event with a round/friendship dance.

From 1-4 pm, Stories of Resilience will be told at the Gleichen School. Arnie Narcisse share his story with those in attendance. Gleichen School was the settler school that stood across the road from the Old Sun Indian Residential School.

At 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm, there will be a Reconciliation Walking Tour. Take a guided tour of some of Heritage Park’s exhibits with a unique focus on stories of interaction and reconciliation among Indigenous peoples and those who came to settle Western Canada.

Together we can raise further awareness of the impact of the Residential School System in Canada and its continued impact.