National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Events & Resources

September 30th is a day to remember and honour the missing Indigenous children, as well as survivors across Canada, who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools. Sept. 30th is also Orange Shirt Day. We encourage students to wear orange, to honour the survivors and those who never made it home.

For a list of local events in Halifax you can attend in order to reflect on, and observe the day; as well as resources for learning more about Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt day, learn more below. We encourage all students to take part in different local activities, and educate themselves.

Events | SEPT 30th

Sept. 30th

  • A DAY TO LISTEN
    Downie & Wenjack “A DAY TO LISTEN” | 6:00am - 6:00pm.

    Open to public: Yes 

    Language: English

    Learn more on Truth & Reconciliation day about the ongoing reconciliation movement, and ways we can all move forward. This years theme for a day to listen is “All My Relations”. Guest speakers will discuss indigenous representation in sports and entertainment, the challenges of healthcare in the north, and more.

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Walk / Treaty Day Celebration at Membertou School

    Kismen Community Centre | 71 First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.

    Learn & celebrate indigenous community traditions with music, kids corners, crafts, and vendors.

    Open to public: Yes

Sept. 30:

  • City Hall Illuminated in Orange
    Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle St. 

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
    Enjoy interactive cultural demonstrations & refreshments at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

Oct. 1: Treaty Day 

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
    Enjoy interactive cultural demonstrations & refreshments at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2021 Brunswick Street – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

  • Treaty Day Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica – 10:30 AM 

  • Vendors Market, Drum & Dance Presentations,
    and Traditional Salmon Feast hosted by the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre     - 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

  • Treaty Day Flag Raising | Join Mayor Mike Savage for the Treaty Day and Mi’kmaw History Month Flag Raising & Reception – 12 p.m., Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle St. 

  • Proclamation Reading | Join Councillor Waye Mason for a proclamation reading at the Peace & Friendship Park - 1:30 pm. Peace & Friendship Park, 1170 Hollis St.

  • Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Hosting Weekend of Reconciliation on the Waterfont

    Learn about Mi’kmaw culture & traditions thrpugh dances, songs, history, and hear traditional prayer songs - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Sands at Salter, Halifax Waterfront

Oct 2:

  • Land Acknowledgment

    Learn about land acknowledgments, reflect on what it means to be a treaty person, and share your land acknowledgments at the end of the session - 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | 2169 Gottingen Street Halifax.

  • Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Hosting Weekend of Reconciliation on the Waterfont

    Learn about Mi’kmaw culture & traditions thrpugh dances, songs, crafts, and hear traditional prayer songs - 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Sands at Salter, Halifax Waterfront

This list is by no means an exhaustive list. We urge you to continue searching for resources to learn.

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society is a non-profit, board governed organization that currently operates nine core programs. It is one of one hundred and twenty-six Friendship Centre’s across Canada, and opened its doors on September 17th,1973. The society was incorporated on June 2nd, 1975.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Orange Shirt Society: Reconciliation Hub

Truth and Reconciliation is a year-round commitment. Browse our selection of educational resources in the Reconciliation Hub to book speakers, and find out more about Canadian History, the Residential School System, the Indian Act, and more.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
& calls to action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created through a legal settlement between Residential Schools Survivors, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives and the parties responsible for creation and operation of the schools: the federal government and the church bodies.

Whose Land

Whose Land is a web-based app that uses GIS technology to assist users in identifying Indigenous Nations, territories, and Indigenous communities across Canada.

The app can be used for learning about the territory your home or business is situated on, finding information for a land acknowledgement, and learning about the treaties and agreements signed across Canada

Dalhousie and the DSU stand on ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq.
Are you are an Indigenous student at Dal? Check out the following resources & supports below:

- Dal Indigenous Student Centre

- Elders in Residence Program

- Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre

- Indigenous Connection

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