Free Activities and Events to Honour Truth and Reconciliation Day in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in 2022
At Big Sisters, we acknowledge the land on which we work and mentor is the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), QayQayt First Nation, Kwantlen, q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), and Stó:lō Nation. We are grateful to live, work and play on these lands.
Truth and Reconciliation Day
At Big Sisters, we are devoted to providing a safe and inclusive space for our youth and community to learn and grow with mentorship at the core of our organization. Let us continue to acknowledge the trauma, honour those who were lost and stand by the survivors, families, and communities who continue to grieve.
Wear your orange shirts in support and take action to help Indigenous communities today. By listening, learning, and becoming better allies, we can all make a real difference together.
To get started, here is a list of free activities happening around the Lower Mainland honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Free Events in Vancouver
Orange Shirt Day
What: On September 30, the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society, and the Trout Lake Community Centre will honour the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools and remember those that didn’t. Join them to show solidarity in and help us raise awareness about residential schools and their lasting impact on Indigenous peoples.
Where: 3360 Victoria Dr., Vancouver
When: September 30, 2022 at 1 pm
Orange Shirt Day: Honouring the Children
What: Join us to honour the Survivors of Residential Schools, the legacy carried by their families and to commemorate those who didn’t return home. We honour the Children with free BBQ, Bouncy Castles, Crafts, Drums & Dance & Giveaways. Please wear your Orange Shirt in support!
Where: 400 Powell St.
When: September 30, 2022 at 12 pm
Intergenerational March for Orange Shirt Day
What: The UBC Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre Canada holds an educational march on campus.
Where: UBC Campus, 1985 Learners’ Walk, Vancouver
When: September 30th, 2022 between 11 am & 2:30 pm.
First Nations House of Learning & X̱wi7x̱wa Library
What: Hosting a family friendly open & warm space with children activates for small children.
Where: UBC Longhouse
When: 11 am – 3 pm
Orange Shirt Day at Templeton Welcome Garden
What: Hastings Community Association hosts an Orange Shirt Day event at Templeton Welcome Garden. The event will include Indigenous speakers, drumming, Earth art, music, garden tours, and ice cream. All are invited to gather, remember and play.
Where: 700 Templeton Dr., Vancouver
When: September 30, 2022 from 2 pm to 5 pm
Free Events in North Vancouver
on Truth & Reconciliation with James Harry
What: Join the most recent awardee of GRIFFIN’S Indigenous Studio Award, artist James Harry, for a talk about his most recent piece for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village BC. The talk will follow a Q&A led by Indigenous curatorial assistant, Emmett Hanly.
When: September 30th at 1 pm – 2:30 pm.
Where: Virtual via zoom
Free Events in Port Moody
National Day of Truth & Reconciliation-Port Moody Station Museum
What: The honouring of Senator Sinclair reminds us to honour the lives and legacies of the tens of thousands of Indigenous children taken from their homes and cultures, and leaves us with a profound feeling of hope for a better future.
Where: 2734 Murray St. Port Moody, BC
When: Friday, Sept. 30th at 10 am – 1:30 pm
Free Events in New Westminster
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
What: Spirit of the Children Society will host a pipe ceremony at Westminster Pier Park to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Please wear your orange shirt.
Where: Westminster Pier Park
When: September 30, 2022 from 3 pm to 6 pm
Free Events in Delta
Blanket Exercise
What: The City of Delta is hosting Blanket Exercises to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The experiential and interactive teaching tool examines the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The event will include a healing circle where participants discuss the experience together.
When: September 30 to October 1, 2022
- Friday Sept 30: 1 pm to 4 pm
- Friday Sept 30: 6 pm to 9 pm
- Saturday Oct 1: 9 am to 12 pm
Where:
- Friday Sept 30: 1 pm to 4 pm – Hawthorne Grove Park’s Harris Barn – 4140 Arthur Drive Delta
- Friday Sept 30: 6 pm to 9 pm – North Delta Recreation Centre – 11415 84th Avenue, Delta
- Saturday Oct 1: 9 am to 12 pm – South Delta Recreation Centre – 1720 56th Street, Delta
Free Events in Coquitlam
Be the change you want to see
What: First Nations artist and facilitator Christine Mackenzie hosts an inclusive workshop at Place des Arts on National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Attendees will help colour in parts of a butterfly’s life cycle that will be added to Place des Art’s Community Engagement Project display. All ages are welcome.
Where: Place des Arts – 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
When: September 30, 2022 from 1pm to 3pm
Free Events in Surrey
Skookum Surrey National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
What: Skookum Surrey welcomes everyone to an afternoon of drumming, sharing, tea and bannock at Holland Park to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Where: Holland Park-12428 Old Yale Road, Surrey
When: September 30, 22 from 2 pm to 4 pm