Updated at 11:19 a.m.

---

Various events are taking place in and around the city of Winnipeg to celebrate Orange Shirt Day and to make the effort at reconciling with past events against Indigenous People.

Culture Days are annually celebrated nationally during the end of September and the beginning of October. Exclusive Indigenous events have been set up by Culture Days to commemorate the day, with events also taking place during the week of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR).

Forgotten: The Métis Residential School Experience Exhibit

The recreation of the residential school experience is to give voices to the children who were forced to go to the schools. It touches on topics of Métis identity, culture reclamation, and healing. A story will be told by Shaun Vincent, live fiddle music by Alexandre Tétrault, and a hands-on activity for participants to experience what it was like to be in a residential school.

Free Entry Friday at the Canadian Human Rights Museum

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Canadian Human Rights Museum offers free admission to visitors on September 30. On Level 7 of the museum, there is an exhibit about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along with a hand-painted guitar and many other exhibits that are included in the National Truth and Reconciliation collection.

NDRT in The Pas

The Pas Arts Council is hosting several events throughout the community to recognize the importance of NDTR.

Free Entry to the Manitoba Museum

As a member of the City of Winnipeg's Indigenous Accord, the Manitoba Museum stands with the Indigenous community and believes that every child matters. The first 500 visitors to arrive at the museum on September 30 will receive free entry, and everyone is being encouraged to wear an orange shirt to signify the importance of the day. There will be different Métis workshops that visitors of all ages can attend.

Remembering the Children in Gimli

Guest speaker, Val Vint, who is a renowned multimedia artist, speaker, advocate, and Indigenous art instructor, will give a presentation on talking about Indigenous children and the Healing Forest project that she is involved in. There will also be a special insider's view of artist Rosemary Miguez's piece, "Sunrise...Culture Will Rise Again," featured in her show In Harmony: Land, Lake, Trees and Shore at the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli. 

Related Stories:

There are also Indigenous events planned throughout the city, outside of the city and events available online.

Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective Shorts Program

Community members are welcome to join a free viewing of short films created by members of the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective. After the presentation of the works, the audience is invited to stick around for a Q&A with the filmmakers.

2nd Annual Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow

For the second year in a row, Winnipeg will see one of the most significant events to celebrate NDTR. Beginning at 10 a.m. there will be a pipe ceremony at the Forks Oodena Circle, followed by the Survivors Walk to the RBC Convention Centre. At 1 p.m. the Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow, where all are welcome and encouraged to wear orange articles of clothing.

Orange Shirt Day with Walmart

Large corporations are also showing participation in the national day of mourning for lives lost in residential schools. Walmart is giving 100 per cent of the proceeds from all orange shirts sold in its stores to the Orange Shirt Society. The shirt available in Walmart is designed by Timothy Foster, a Gitxsan from the house of Niisto in the Lax Seel clan.

Niverville Community T & R Ceremony

This event will feature authentic speakers on Indigenous issues such as Peter YellowQuill, who is a fifth-generation descendent of Cheif YellowQuill, a signatory to Treaty no. 1; Glen and Verla Cochrane from the Peguis First Nation who carry the legacy of Cheif Peguis; and Howard Jolly who is a First Nation's resident of Niverville. All speakers will touch on topics varying from residential schools, the Trail of Tears, and Indigenous Peoples' history.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Brandon

Tour Fit Club in Brandon, Manitoba is offering free classes throughout all of September 30. Donations are welcomed, but not required to attend the classes.

Make Your Pledge with Orange Shirt Day Activity Sheet

St. Amant Jordan’s Principle team and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee have created an activity sheet for anyone with a creative mind to design their own shirt all the while learning about the educational aspect of NDTR. Participants can send their finished designs to St. Amant's media pages for a chance to win a copy of David A. Robertson's book When We Were Alone, and a NuTrendz purse. The submission deadline is Monday, October 5.

Truth and Reconciliation Free Educational Program

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has grades 1-12 education programs available for schools during NDTR Week (September 26-30). The program includes age-appropriate education material delivered in a variety of formats: prerecorded videos, a live Q&A session, a live broadcasting viewing, and an in-person gathering.

If there are more events going on for Orange Shirt Day or National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Week, send us an email with the details and a link to the event website (if available) and it will be added to the list.

Walking Together in Healing - Honoring Residential School Survivors

Beginning at the Portage City Hall (PCRC) there will be a Reconciliation/Honour walk to the Former Portage Residential School, escorted by MB First Nation Policing. Once at the former residential school, there will be an opening dance, song and welcoming remarks followed by guest speakers George Munro & Abe Parenteau, lunch, and a minute of silence. There will also be a demonstration of the blanket exercise, pow wow and closing ceremonies.

 

Related Stories