The City of Prince Albert is encouraging residents, businesses and community organizations to wear orange on September 30 as the Saskatchewan city prepares to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
The annual observance honours children who survived Canada’s residential school system, remembers those who never returned home and provides an opportunity for communities to reflect on the lasting effects of residential schools on Indigenous children, families and communities.
Orange Shirt Day Encourages Reflection and Community Participation
Orange shirts have become a nationally recognized symbol of remembrance and reconciliation, carrying the message that Every Child Matters.
Prince Albert residents who want to participate can purchase orange shirts from the Prince Albert Tourism Centre. Sales are being made on behalf of the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, with the shirt design created by Ailah Carpenter.
The city said September 30 is intended not only as a day of remembrance but also as an opportunity for residents to learn about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools and consider the role communities can play in reconciliation.
Four Days of Ceremonies and Traditional Teachings Planned
Several community events are scheduled around the observance.
The Prince Albert Indian & Métis Friendship Centre will hold Gathering Knowledge From the Four Directions at the Cultural and Ceremonial Grounds at Little Red River Park from September 27 through September 30.
The gathering will feature ceremonies and traditional teachings, with community members encouraged to attend and participate.
The Prince Albert Grand Council is also scheduled to hold its National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on September 30. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Urban Services Centre. Lunch will be provided, while guest speakers are expected to be announced separately.
The Prince Albert Historical Museum will offer free admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 30. A printmaking workshop with Ailah Carpenter, presented by the Mann Art Gallery and Prince Albert Historical Museum, has already reached capacity.
Businesses and Organizations Invited to Display Orange Shirt Symbol
Prince Albert organizations and businesses can also participate by borrowing an Orange Shirt Day stencil for use on windows or sidewalks.
The stencil is available through the Margo Fournier Arts Centre and can be booked by calling the facility. The initiative gives businesses and other organizations an additional way to publicly recognize the day and the Every Child Matters message.
Orange Shirt Day Has Roots in Residential School Survivor’s Story
Orange Shirt Day traces its origins to the 2013 St. Joseph Mission Residential School commemoration in Williams Lake, British Columbia.
The movement grew from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken away from her when she arrived at residential school as a child. Her experience became a widely recognized symbol of the treatment of Indigenous children within the residential school system and helped establish the orange shirt as a national symbol of remembrance.
September 30 is now observed across Canada as an opportunity to learn about residential school history, recognize survivors and their families, remember children who died and continue discussions surrounding truth and reconciliation.
Federal Statutory Holiday Established in 2021
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday in 2021. Its creation responded to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, which called for a statutory holiday dedicated to honouring survivors, their families and communities and ensuring the history and legacy of residential schools remain part of the reconciliation process.
Prince Albert has formally recognized September 30 as a paid holiday for city employees since 2021.
City Hall will therefore be closed for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, while some municipal facilities may operate with restricted hours.
City Transit, however, will continue operating on September 30.
With ceremonies, educational activities and public displays planned across Prince Albert, this year’s observance will provide several opportunities for residents and organizations to participate in remembrance, learning and reconciliation.