Join us on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for a Pipe Ceremony to honour the Victims, Survivors and all those who have been and continue to be impacted by the Residential School system. The Pipe Ceremony will take place at the Okotoks Municipal Centre Council Chambers. The ceremony will include a blessing from Blackfoot Elders.
Community members are welcome to bring offerings to place at the memorial Site for Residential School Victims and Survivors and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls located in Ethel Tucker Park. Offerings can be anything that has meaning to you and pays respect to the Residential School Victims and Survivors, as well as all the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Berry soup and bannock will be served following the ceremony.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement that is also recognized on September 30. It brings attention to the harm Canada’s Residential School System inflicted on Indigenous children and their families, and the ongoing trauma that remains today. The intention of Orange Shirt Day is to create awareness of the impact of Residential Schools and to promote the concept of Every Child Matters.
On September 30, we encourage everyone to wear orange to honour Residential School Victims, Survivors and all those who have been and continue to be impacted affected by the Residential School System.
Online Community Engagement
- National Indigenous Peoples Day - A lesson in Powwow and the legend of "Napi and the Big Rock" on YouTube.
- Okotoks Public Library will have resources and related book displays throughout the library.
- Alberta Recreation & Parks: Walking with Indigenous Communities
Learn More
- Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website to read the reports and Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)
- Learn more about Orange Shirt Day and its origins at orangeshirtday.org
- Learn more about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women at mmiwg-ffada.ca
- The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Legacy of Hope Residential School Survivors' stories drawn from the Our Stories…Our Strength video collection
The Government of Canada passed legislation marking September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Town of Okotoks has decided to officially observe this day to recognize and reflect on the tragic history of the Residential School system as part of the Town's journey towards reconciliation.
Since 2019, the Town has undertaken work with Indigenous stakeholders to engage with the Indigenous community and will continue working to determine how to move forward authentically and meaningfully as a municipality.
The Town recognizes the journey to reconciliation is a long one, and observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important step in the process. The Town of Okotoks is committed to reconciliation and building a relationship through dialogue with the Indigenous community to ensure that Okotoks is an inclusive community that respects their history, traditions and culture.
Learn more at okotoks.ca/our-journey-to-truth-and-reconciliation