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September 30th, 2022 will be the second official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is a federal holiday to honour residential school survivors and the children who did not return, as well as their families and communities. Like last year, Fresh Roots will be closed to recognize the day as a paid statutory holiday to allow for time recognize and reflect meaningfully with this important day.

In addition, we are very exited to announce, that this year we are undertaking a collaborative project to explore the question “How schoolyard farms (and specifically, the work that Fresh Roots undertakes) can contribute to Indigenous food sovereignty and land-based learning”. We are working with our school district and Indigenous Education department colleagues, Indigenous Knowledge holders, Farm to School BC and the BC Chapter of the Coalition for Healthy School Food to design and deliver experiential workshop components as well as gatherings bringing everyone together for listening and sharing. We are grateful that this project is made possible with funding from the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia. If you would like to learn more about this project, you can email ed@freshroots.ca for more information.

As with last year, we have compiled and wanted to show a some ideas from our team and community members that you can check out to commemorate this day and take actionable steps toward reconciliation:

Orange Shirt Day/NDTR events:

  • Orange Shirt Day at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House (2131 Renfrew Street, Vancouver)
    on September 29, 4 to 7 PM – FREE family-friendly event where you can grab some food inspired by Indigenous recipes and learn more about traditional foods and Indigenous food sovereignty. All funds raised at our crafts and jewelry tables will go to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. Counsellor will be onsite to offer emotional support and smudging and medicines will be available. Part of Vancouver Urban Food Forest Foundation‘s Neighbourhood Food Week.
  • Orange Shirt Day with Britannia Community Centre on September 30 at 9 AM assemble outside the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre (1719 Franklin Street) and walk to Grandview Park where there will be a ceremony and activities (lunch, drum circle, crafting and sharing) until 2 PM.
  • Orange Shirt Day at Templeton Pool Welcome Garden (700 Templeton Drive, Vancouver) on September 30, 2 to 5 PM –  Performance by Indigenous Women Rise Drum Group, Elder stories, Indigenous Plant Walk with Lori Snyder, snacks, tea, ice cream and more! Part of Vancouver Urban Food Forest Foundation‘s Neighbourhood Food Week.
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Westminister Pier Park (1 6th Street, New Westminster) on September 30, 3 to 6 PM – FREE family-friendly event that will start with a welcoming, listening to guest residential school survivors, a pipe ceremony: “Beginning the Journey Home”, children’s giveaway, and free snacks while quantities last; hosted by the Spirit of the Children Society.
  • Skookum Surrey’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Holland Park (13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey) on September 30, 2 to 4 PM – join for an afternoon of drumming, sharing, tea and bannock.
  • Vancouver Career College Healing Walk (2121 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford) on September 30, 10:30 AM to 2 PM – Walk and BBQ to discuss the meaning of this National Holiday and make new connections within the community.
  • Fraser River Indigenous Society’s We Stand With You Through Truth and Reconciliation at Memorial Peace Park (11930 224 Street, Maple Ridge) on September 30, 10 AM to 2 PM
  • Every Child Matters Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at John Hendry Park in Trout Lake (3300 Victoria Dr, Vancouver) on September 30 from 1 to 3 PM – organized by the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society, including ceremony, stories, drumming, and songs. Please meet at the south side of John Hendry Park.

Attend:

Visit:

Watch:

  • Premiere of Tsartlip First Nation artist Priscilla Omulo’s short film, ‘Weaving our Story Towards Reconciliation‘ ONLINE on September 30
  • Free screening of documentaries (Honour Senator Murray, The Story of the Coast Salish Knitters, Keepers of the Fire) at Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray Street, Port Moody) on September 30, 10 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Vancouver International Film Festival – Bones of Crows, directed by Marie Clements on October 4 at 9 PM at the Centre for Performing Arts (777 Homer Street, Vancouver)
  • Vancouver International Film Festival’s interactive exhibition Signals: see the short film ‘This Is Not a Ceremony’ by Colin van Loon, which immerses viewers in stories that explore the dark truths of colonialism in Canada from October 1 to 3 at Emily Carr University’s Centre for Digital Media and Departure Lounge (685 Great Northern Way, Vancouver)
  • We encourage everyone to watch/listen to this short interview with former senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray Sinclair.
  • The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation also has a week of speakers from across turtle island, all accessible for free on their Youtube channel.
  • How to watch and listen to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on CBC | CBC Arts
  • Savage, Lisa Jackson, Director
  • Indian Horse, Based on the award-winning novel by Richard Wagamese

Create:

  • Be the Change You Want to See – First Nations Artist and Facilitator, Christine Mackenzie, will be hosting a free, public community art workshop on September 30 at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam) from 1 to 3 PM that will be added to their Community Engagement Project display
  • The Orange Shirt Project – handmade contributions can be sent to ‘Lorrie Miller, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4’

Read:

Listen:

Wear orange! 

  • Read Phyllis Webstad’s story HERE

Learn 

Donate

  • Donate directly to The Indian Residential School Survivors Society. The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. They strive to provide physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual growth, development, and healing through culturally-based values and guiding principles for Survivors, Families, and Communities.

Please let us know if you have any resources we should know about and we hope our list provides you with some ideas about how to engage with and make acknowledging this important holiday meaningful for you.

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