National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important time to acknowledge, learn about and honour the survivors of Canada’s residential school system.
Taking place on Wednesday, September 30th, with events across Vancouver Island, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is symbolized by the phrase “Every Child Matters” and with the donning of an orange shirt.
Many of the events that honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are free and family-friendly, meaning they are a great opportunity to bring the family and community together to show solidarity for residential school survivors and for those that continue to experience the generational trauma caused by colonial violence and residential schools.
While the official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation takes place on Wednesday, many establishments will be closed and will instead host events on Tuesday. Those events can be found at the end of the article.
Here are some of the events happening in and around Victoria on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Wednesday, September 30th:
Songhees Nation South Island Powwow at Royal Athletic Park
The annual South Island Powwow is hosted by the Songhees Nation in Royal Athletic Park.
The gathering is one of the biggest events on Vancouver Island in support of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and brings thousands to the park each year for ceremony, food, education and vendors.
The annual South Island Powwow is an opportunity to recognize survivors and their families in the spirit of reconciliation.
Through song and dance, the Powwow will celebrate traditional Indigenous cultures and resiliency.
The South Island Powwow is a great place to bring the family to shop from Indigenous vendors, see performances and learn.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
- Where: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., grand entry at 12 p.m.
First Nations Fashion Show at Protocol Corner on the Lower Causeway
On Wednesday afternoon, Indigenous youth will walk from the South Island Powwow to the harbour for a fashion show while wearing ribbon skirts created by Aunty Collective.
The event is brought to Victoria by Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, and hosted by the Songhees Nation and xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nation.
The fashion show will include Cowichan knits by Knit with Purpose and designs from Ay Lelum.
The show is free to attend and everyone is welcome.
- Where: Protocol Corner, Lower Causeway at the Inner Harbour
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 4 p.m.
Sixth annual Ride & Reconciliation at Songhees Point Park
Head down to Songhees Point Park and join Capital Bike, in partnership with Victoria Orange Shirt Day and Songhees community members, for the sixth annual Ride & Reconciliation in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This meaningful community event brings together hundreds of people from across the region for a morning of learning, reflection and connection.
The day begins with opening presentations before participants ride together, escorted by police and Capital Bike ride marshals, to the South Island Powwow.
The ride is nearly 10 kilometres, family-friendly and suitable for riders of all ages and abilities.
Participants are encouraged to stay after the ride to experience the Powwow, connect with the community and enjoy the day’s celebrations.
The event is free to attend, however donations are appreciated. For more information and to donate, click here.
- Where: Songhees Point Park, by the Delta Hotel
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Orange Shirt Day Event in Sooke
Together, attendees will walk to Edward Milne Community School (EMCS), where the afternoon will continue with cultural performances, Indigenous vendors, community connections and food trucks.
Organizers remind attendees that Orange Shirt Day is a time for reflection, learning, remembrance and reconciliation.
They invite community members of all ages to walk alongside them as they honour the message that every child is important.
Wear your orange shirt and join them in solidarity.
- Where: Gather Across from the Sooke Region Museum, 2070 Phillips Road
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 12 p.m.
Truth & Reconciliation: A Gathering of Remembrance & Care at SNIWWOC office
Gather to learn, reflect and engage with the truths of shared history while fostering meaningful reconciliation and community.
Join the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour (SNIWWOC) for a meaningful evening of remembrance, reflection and community care as they come together to honour truth and reconciliation.
This gathering creates space to come together through connection, storytelling and collective healing while recognizing the ongoing impacts of colonial violence and honour the lives, families and communities affected.
This evening will feature powerful conversations, storytelling and opportunities for participants to connect with one another.
Those who are part of the community, as well as allies who are willing to support are invited to use this time to listen and reflect on what efforts can be made towards meaningful reconciliation.
The evening will be guided by local Elder Aldeen Mason, with opportunities for meaningful conversations and shared learning.
A bannock dinner will also be provided.
Tickets are by donation and can be purchased here.
- Where: SNIWWOC office, 990 Hillside Avenue
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rhymes for Reconciliation at Lucky Bar
Head to Lucky Bar and support an Indigenous Hip-Hop artists event.
During this show, attendees will be supporting QomQem Coastal Connections again this year.
Performances will feature The Vic City Soldierz and Stray Dogs.
Tickets for the event are $15 and can be purchased here.
- Where: Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is offering free admission to the Gallery and the exhibition As waters merge – swaying waves beckoning us closer.
They are inviting visitors and community members to take time for personal reflection, education and meaningful engagement with the history and unresolved intergenerational legacy of the residential school system.
The gallery is offering free admission and everyone is welcome to attend.
- Where: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
- When: Wednesday, September 30th – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Events on Tuesday, September 29th
National Day for Truth at Reconciliation programming at the Royal BC Museum
Head down to the Royal BC Museum for a day of learning, reflection and celebration of Indigenous knowledge, culture and resilience through a series of presentations, performances, storytelling sessions, films and community conversation.
Beginning at 10 a.m. in the Conference Hall, the program brings together Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, historians, dancers, musicians and community leaders to share stories of history, cultural continuity, resistance and renewal.
Throughout the day, visitors will experience presentations on Indigenous worldviews, local and national histories, poetry and spoken word, drumming and singing, dance performances and facilitated discussions that honour both truth-telling and the strength of Indigenous communities.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
- Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
- When: Tuesday, September 29th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
UVic Orange Shirt Day at Centennial Stadium
UVic will be hosting a campus-wide event on Tuesday at Centennial Stadium, offering a shared space for reflection, learning and remembrance.
Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to gather.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
UVic will be hosting several events in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, all of which can be found here.
- Where: Centennial Stadium, 1901 McKenzie Avenue
- When: Tuesday, September 29th – 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Camosun College Orange Shirt Day Ceremony
The afternoon ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m. at Na’tsa’maht, Lansdowne campus.
The ceremony will feature speakers including students Kathy Bryce and Michelle George who will speak from the heart about their educational journey and what Orange Shirt Day means to them.
Virgil Sampson, a Coast Salish artist from the Tsartlip Nation, will speak as well.
Students, employees and community members are invited to witness and participate in the ceremony remembering the residential school experience and looking forward to the transformative action everyone can take together.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
- Where: Na’tsa’maht: The Gathering Place, Lansdowne Campus
- When: Tuesday, September 29th – 1:30 p.m.
💬 Join the conversation
No comments yet — be the first to start the conversation
