There are a number of events being held across B.C. on Sept. 30 this year, the fourth annual observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day has been marked across the country since 2021, on a date chosen to coincide with Orange Shirt Day, named to commemorate a story told by Phyllis Webstad, whose prized orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School near Williams Lake.

Truth and Reconciliation Day commemorates the survivors of residential schools, as well as the children who never made it home. More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forced to attend the church-run, government-funded residential schools between the 1870s and 1997. 

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation estimates about 4,100 children died at residential schools across the country, based on death records, but has said the true total is likely much higher.

Events in B.C. — where the day has been a statutory holiday since 2023 — encourage people to both reflect on the dark history of residential schools and to celebrate Indigenous teachings, cultures and communities.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of events taking place on Sept. 30 across the province. If you don’t see your community listed below, the province has also compiled a list of events.

Lower Mainland

In Vancouver, there will be a walk organized by the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society, which starts at 10 a.m. at the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre at 1719 Franklin St. and ends at Grandview Park.

At the University of B.C.’s campus, a large march starting at 11:45 a.m. aims to bring together multiple generations, with the school saying it aims to be “educational and supportive to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond.”

In Surrey, an event at Holland Park will begin at 4 p.m., with organizers saying it will feature drumming, servings of bannock and more, and encourage people to reflect on B.C.’s colonial history.

An event that runs for most of the day at the Museum of North Vancouver is pay-what-you-want, and organizers say there will be Indigenous-led gallery tours as part of it.

The City of Abbotsford is co-hosting a large event at Thunderbird Square and Civic Plaza starting at 10 a.m., which will feature a puppet show that tells the story of nearby Sumas Lake and how it was drained by colonial authorities.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler will host its own event starting at 10 a.m., with free entry for those under 18.

Interior

In Kelowna, a march to City Park starting at 10 a.m. will be followed by a candlelight vigil and speeches, with attendees being given soup and bannock afterwards.

The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and the City of Kamloops are co-hosting an event at the Tk̓emlúps Arbour on the nation’s reserve beginning at 10 a.m., with participants encouraged to participate in an Orange Shirt Day Walk throughout the grounds.

Vancouver Island

The annual South Island Powwow, organized by the Songhees Nation in Victoria, is among one of the larger events marking the day in B.C. Gates open at 10 a.m. at Royal Athletic Park.

In Nanaimo, there are free events happening across the Nanaimo aquatic and ice centres, as well as the Oliver Woods Community Centre, starting at 10 a.m.

Northern B.C.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Prince George’s Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, the city’s event will see a reading of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as activities for all ages.

In Fort St. John, attendees of the city’s event at the Fort St. John Friendship Society will be able to design their own orange shirt before a walk and a barbecue to mark the day.