Orange Shirt Day highlights Indigenous voices

Tuesday, Sept. 30, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as the survivors, their families and their communities.

For several years, the University of Calgary's Office of Indigenous Engagement and Calgary Public Library have worked together to create meaningful learning opportunities in commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This year's programming runs across Sept 29 and 30, with events on campus and at the Central Library. The collaboration reflects ii’ taa’poh’to’p, UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy and its commitment to engage the campus community and beyond by offering learning opportunities that raise awareness, start conversations and encourage reflection on Reconciliation.

In addition to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls for reconciliation through education, call to action #69 specifically asks libraries to reexamine their commitment to truth and reconciliation and pledge/allocate additional resources to sharing the true history of Indigenous peoples with our communities. 

"The journey of truth and reconciliation starts with learning," says Sarah Meilleur, CEO of Calgary Public Library, BA ‘01. "We have a responsibility to share Indigenous history and experiences and celebrate Indigenous voices, stories, and culture. It's through our work with partners like the University of Calgary that we are able to reach and engage even more people in our community on this important journey of Truth and Reconciliation."

Film explores Indigenous masculinity

On Sept 29, Calgary Public library is hosting a screening of the film Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man, directed by Trevor Solway (Sinakson). This free event takes place at the Central Library downtown.

Released in 2025, Soloway’s film, “portrays the lives of Blackfoot men as they on navigate identity, kinship and the complex expectations of manhood. Through unfiltered moments and revealing conversations set against the breathtaking landscape of the Prairies, the film reimagines what it means to be a Native [Indigenous] man” (National Film Board of Canada). To date, the film has been awarded the 2025 APTN Indigenous Spirit Award) and the Audience Choice Feature Film Award at the ImagiNative Film and Media Arts Festival held in Toronto in 2025. 

Acclaimed journalist delivers keynote

On Sept. 30th, Angela Sterritt will deliver a keynote presentation that shares reflections from her book Unbroken, taking place at UCalgary’s Rosza Centre and livestreamed for those who cannot attend in-person.

Sterritt, who is from the Wilps K’aax of the Gitanmaax community within the Gitxan Nation, is an award-winning investigative journalist, bestselling author and broadcaster who is well known for her powerful reporting on Indigenous rights and the strength of Indigenous communities. Her 2023 memoir, Unbroken, became a national bestseller and was nominated for several major literary awards.

“Truth is what survivors have already given us; reconciliation is what we owe them. Here on Treaty 7 territory, that means telling the whole story and then changing what we do—investing in language and youth, returning decision-making to communities, making safety for women, girls, and Two-Spirit people non-negotiable, and holding institutions to account. Reconciliation is not a feeling; it is a transfer of power,” says Sterritt.

Hosted by the University of Calgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement, this special presentation will include a conversation between the University of Calgary President, Dr. Ed McCauley and author Angela Sterritt. Piikani Elder Dr. Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD'01, who will open and close this event in a good way,  

Special observances and events hosted across the country to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as important learning opportunities, reminding us that the intergenerational impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples across the country are still felt today. This day asks all Canadians to listen, to learn, and to stand with survivors and their families ― a unified step towards reconciliation and affirmation that Every Child Matters. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange to show that commitment and support.

Event details:

Film screening: Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man

Sept. 29, 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Central Library, 800 3 St. S.E. 

A personal look at Blackfoot masculinity through the lens of family, culture and identity, directed by Trevor Solway.

Register to attend

Angela Sterritt keynote presentation

Sept. 30, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, UCalgary, and livestreamed

A keynote presentation by award-winning journalist and author Angela Sterritt on truth, resilience and Indigenous storytelling, with conversation to follow.

Register to attend