News & Stories

National Truth and Reconciliation Day: Shelter guests share messages of hope, truth, and learning 

September 27, 2024

September 30 marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day, also known as Orange Shirt Day. Today, we wear orange to acknowledge that for more than a century, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools, as part of a policy of assimilation into European and Christian culture.

Earlier this week at our emergency shelter, we asked guests to share messages of hope, truth and learning on the bulletin board in the main lobby. Handwritten on sticky notes in the shape of a t-shirt, the result was beautiful. On this special day of reflection, we would like to share their messages with you.

I’m proud of how far you’ve come. 
With love all is possible. 
Love your child. 
Love your journey and love you. 
We are the people; can we love each other? 
Love you DI staff. 

Over the summer, shelter guests were also engaged in a contest to design an Orange Shirt Day T-shirt that our staff will wear with pride today.

If you are looking for a way to engage today, there are a number of activities happening around town, including:

There are film screenings, gatherings, walks, a Pow Wow and other events to recognize NDTR.

City of Calgary Orange Shirt Day 2024: Today 9 – 10:30 a.m. at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Ave. S.E.

ArtsCommons National Truth & Reconciliation Day: Today 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (public market and registration required events) at Arts Commons and Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby, 205 – 8 Avenue S.E.

We hope to see you in community!