The University of Saskatchewan will be closed on Monday, September 30th for National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Learn about the history of this important day, as well as how to get involved.

September 30th each year marks a reminder of the painful legacies of residential schools, commemorating those who didn’t make it home, those who survived and the families and communities that were shaken by the forceful removal of their children. Residential schools are just one manifestation of years of historical oppression by Canadians against Indigenous people and the legacies of this mistreatment continue to echo into modern society. 

The first Truth and Reconciliation Day was observed in 2021 after legislative amendments were passed unanimously by parliament in June of that year. This national day serves to fulfill Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, which calls for a statutory holiday to be set aside in the name of reconciliation. 

The date was chosen to coincide with Orange Shirt Day, a movement which started in 2013 in response to Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation member and residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad’s stories of trauma from her time in the school system when she was six years old, including painful memories of staff taking her brand new orange shirt her grandma had gifted her, never to be returned. 

While many Canadians enjoy statutory holidays as a relaxing day off school and work, National Truth and Reconciliation Day is intended to be a day for meaningful reflection, which can take many forms. There is a large variety of activities around Saskatoon on September 30th and in the week leading up that you can participate in. All events are free unless indicated otherwise. 

Around Campus

Blanket Project Installation 

Sept. 23rd

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Convocation Hall

On Monday, visitors will be led through a walking tour of the Blanket Project, a collection of unique star blankets made out of ribbons. These ribbons had been previously tied around campus to commemorate the findings of unmarked graves of the many children who had never made it home from residential schools around Canada. The blankets were worked on by over 150 different people around the university, and are emblazoned with the pattern on the eight-pointed star, which is traditionally representative of plains First Nations groups such as the Lakota and Nêhiyawak peoples.

Reflection to Reconciliation with Lyndon Linklater

Sept. 26th

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Neatby-Timlin Theatre (Arts 241)

Lyndon Linklater is an Anishinabe/Nehiyaw traditional knowledge keeper who is a citizen of Thunderchild First Nation in Treaty 6 territory. Visitors are invited to listen and learn from Linklater at the Neatby-Timlin theatre on Thursday afternoon, with refreshments to follow the talk. Please note: Attendees are asked to wear orange and refrain from using their cell phones for the duration of the event.

Huskie Athletics Truth and Reconciliation Game Night

Sept. 27th 

7:00 p.m.

Griffiths Stadium

Huskie Football takes on the Alberta Golden Bears on Friday night at Griffiths Stadium. Athletes will wear orange to commemorate truth and reconciliation, and fans can expect special programming and orange fireworks throughout the night. Tickets are free for students and can be acquired at: https://huskies.usask.ca/sports/2018/7/26/tickets-studenttickets-copy.aspx

Campus Lighting

Sept. 27th – Sept 30th

During the evenings

The Bowl

Over the weekend students are invited to walk the paths of the bowl and reflect on what Truth and Reconciliation means for themselves and their communities. Buildings in the Bowl will be lit up orange in honour of those who have been affected by the legacies of residential schools and banners highlighting some of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s calls to action also on display.

Around the City

Know Your Roots walking tour

All over Saskatoon

The Know Your Roots walking tour is a self-guided tour that will take you around Saskatoon to visit art installations, historical sites, and other landmarks that pertain to reflection, reconciliation, and reclamation. The guidebook is available here: https://www.saskatoon.ca/sites/default/files/documents/reconciliation_walking_tour_booklet.pdf

Saskatoon Tribal Council: Every Child Matters Annual Powwow

Sept. 29th–Sept. 30th

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m 

Sasktel Centre

The Saskatoon Tribal Council is hosting a two day powwow at the Sasktel Centre which will feature drum and dance competitions. Events on the 29th are held in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two spirit people, so visitors are asked to wear red. Events on September 30th are reconciliation themed, and visitors are asked to wear orange. More details here: https://sktc.sk.ca/events/every-child-matters-in-honour-of-reconciliation-pow-wow-2024/

Truth and Reconciliation Gathering at Wanuskewin

Sept. 30th

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Wanuskewin is a cultural heritage site which is home to Canada’s longest running archaeological dig. The earliest evidence of people occupying the land that is now Wanuskewin is over 6,000 years old. There are  various activities going on for Truth and Reconciliation day, including scavenger hunts, speeches, traditional games, dancing, and much more. Admission is by donation and the full schedule of events can be found at: https://wanuskewin.com/event/september-30-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/

Wear Orange

Remember to wear orange to reaffirm that Every Child Matters on September 30th!