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.