Calgary marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with citywide events

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👀 In today's edition:

• RCMP warn Calgary residents

• Teachers negotiations continue

• Report on corruption will not be release to the public

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Calgary marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with citywide events

On Tuesday, September 30, Calgarians have numerous opportunities to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through free cultural events across the city. The day offers chances to learn about residential school history, hear directly from survivors, and take part in Indigenous-led ceremonies and programming. This meaningful day, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day, honours the children who never returned from residential schools, survivors, and their families and communities.

Here's some of what's happening around Calgary:

Pokaiks 'The Children' Commemorative Walk & Gathering: Kicks off with a walk from the Peace Bridge at 11 a.m., wrapping up at Contemporary Calgary where Elders will lead opening ceremonies at noon. The afternoon brings traditional performances, youth workshops, artisan showcases, and closing ceremonies at 5 p.m.

Heritage Park: Welcomes self-identified Indigenous peoples with free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day starts with a flag-lowering ceremony honouring the late Murray Sinclair at 10 a.m., followed by reconciliation discussions, Indigenous games at noon, a Round Dance at 1 p.m., and powerful storytelling performances in Gasoline Alley Museum at 2 p.m.

Werklund Centre: Transforms into a cultural hub with an Indigenous Makers Market in the Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., complete with a Pow Wow Showcase at noon. Gallery tours exploring "Etuaptmumk: The Art of Two-Eyed Seeing in STEAM" run at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. (you'll need to pre-register). The evening features Ghost River Theatre's immersive "Echoes of the Land" from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and the Elders Story Project wraps up the night from 7:30-9:30 p.m. with a Blackfoot naming ceremony, tea dance, and round dance.

Southcentre Mall: Has set up a tipi in Centre Court that serves as a quiet place for reflection throughout the day, with cultural interpretation and performances honouring Orange Shirt Day and residential school survivors.

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland: Opens its doors for free, offering walking tours, Quest Theatre's "We Are All Treaty People" presentations at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m., film screenings, reconciliation letter writing, and exhibitions by Blackfoot artists.

Studio Bell at the National Music Centre: Welcomes visitors with free admission from 1-5 p.m. Check out the "Speak Up!" exhibition highlighting Indigenous musical artists, and catch Elder Eldon Weasel Child's noon talk about truth, reconciliation, and how cultural understanding supports healing.

Calgary Public Library: Several branches (Central, Crowfoot, Fish Creek, Forest Lawn, Judith Umbach, Saddletowne, Seton, Shawnessy, Signal Hill, and Village Square) open from 12-5 p.m. with Indigenous Placemaking installations created by artists connected to Treaty 7.

Alberta's history with residential schools runs deep—the province was home to 25 of these institutions, more than any other province, with the last one closing in 1996. Reconciliation is everyone's responsibility, and wearing orange on September 30 is a simple way to show solidarity with survivors and commit to the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation.

Need to know

🚨 RCMP are warning residents in communities surrounding Calgary about a surge in overnight break-ins where suspects enter through unlocked doors and windows while people sleep, stealing items like vehicle keys, purses, and electronics before taking cars from driveways.

📚 Alberta teachers will vote this weekend on a tentative contract agreement that's largely unchanged from the province's previous offer, including the same 12% salary increase over four years they rejected in the spring, with the main addition being coverage for COVID-19 vaccines.

🏥 Alberta's government confirmed it has not yet received an interim report on the investigation into alleged corruption over health contracts, and when it does arrive in the coming days, it won't be made public despite the original May deadline being extended.

🌉 Two bridges on Calgary's Stoney Trail were officially named after Cpl. Nathan Hornburg on the 18th anniversary of his death in Afghanistan, honouring the 24-year-old reservist who was killed by mortar fire while helping repair a disabled tank in 2007.

🏒 The Calgary Flames are competing to host games for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey at the new Scotia Place arena, which opens in 2027, with the NHL and NHLPA evaluating 25 venues across North America and Europe before announcing host cities in early 2026.

👨‍🏫 Premier Danielle Smith wants Alberta to create a fast-track teaching certification program for people with post-secondary credentials in relevant fields, bypassing traditional education degrees, though the Alberta Teachers' Association warns this undermines professional standards and teaching expertise.

⚖️ A British Columbia man accused of killing 23-year-old Jelisa Maschki on Calgary's Nose Creek Pathway in December 2024 has had his charge upgraded from manslaughter to second-degree murder, with the two believed to have been strangers before the fatal attack.

🥘 Easy & Healthy Mediterranean Cooking (Everyday Meals) Oct 8 – Discover great flavours and improve your nutrition with tips for heart health, brain health or general well-being. (Free in-person class led by AHS Registered Dietitians)*

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Historic Firehall No. 1 hosts free fall and winter events

Downtown Calgary's Historic Firehall No. 1 Courtyard is getting a new lease on life this fall and winter with nine free weekend events running from September 27 to December 13. The heritage site at 144 6 Ave SE will host everything from live music and art workshops to DJ sessions and a winter market, kicking things off during Calgary Culture Days with "Hello Harvest"—an afternoon of acoustic tunes and a family art activity called the Gratitude Grove.

The lineup offers something different each month, from October's pumpkin painting and sun printmaking to November's storytelling sessions highlighting Indigenous and newcomer traditions, complete with tea blending and seed pouch making. A youth DJ pop-up in mid-November brings dance vibes, while a cozy winter market rounds out the month with handmade goods and ornament decorating. December closes out the series with global craft traditions and a winter bash featuring cookie decorating and games.

These events aren't just about filling the courtyard for a few months—they're a test run for something bigger. cSPACE Projects is exploring plans to transform Historic Firehall No. 1 and the neighbouring North West Travellers Building into a permanent arts hub where artists, cultural organizations, and the community can gather year-round. Partnering with The City of Calgary, they're proving that vacant heritage spaces can become vibrant community destinations.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Pie Junkie: Now open in West District, this beloved Calgary bakery celebrates 10 years of handmade sweet and savoury pies using four generations of family recipes, all-butter pastry, and fresh seasonal ingredients from steak and stout pot pies to key lime and banana toffee desserts.

🍴 Pat & Betty: Settle into Victoria Park's celebration of unapologetically indulgent food and vivid wines, where big-hearted service and a space designed for savoring moments together embody the passion and affection of the owners' mothers.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Oktoberfest: Celebrate Bavarian-style with a 7-piece oompah band, authentic German lagers served in steins, bratwurst towers, and communal seating under the tent for a festive afternoon of music, food, and beer specials from September 26-28.

🎟️ Calgary Farmyard: Experience three seasons of hands-on farm fun with a petting zoo full of barnyard babies, over 40 family-friendly attractions including giant slides and tractor rides, u-pick flowers and pumpkins, plus county fair treats at this family-run destination where laughter and memories grow together.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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