The following content is from National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
Like many of us in the recreation and parks sector, ARPA is on its own reconciliation journey with diverse Indigenous peoples and communities across Alberta. Our goal is that through our actions, as a member-based organization, we demonstrate our dedication to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Throughout the month of September, we invite you to participate in weekly educational opportunities and events as we look to honour and celebrate the significance of September 30th. Together we will learn about and celebrate the importance of Indigenous peoples, culture and practices.
Visit our Events Calendar to access and register for our planned virtual events later this month!
Download our Reconciliation Activity Map, which includes a snapshot of what you can expect this month so you can follow along! Print it out, bookmark it, or share it with your networks!
Like many of us in the recreation and parks sector, the Alberta Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) is on its own reconciliation journey with diverse Indigenous peoples and communities across Alberta. Our goal is that through our actions, as a member based organization, we demonstrate our dedication to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
The Alberta Recreation & Parks Association would like to acknowledge the First Nations, the Métis, and all of the people across Alberta who share a history and a deep connection with this land. We dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.