As we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sep. 30, students are invited to learn more and reflect on what this day and week means. This page will serve as a resource, including a list of all Truth and Reconciliation Week events available for students, faculty and staff to attend, and educational resources on Truth and Reconciliation. 

Truth & Reconciliation Week 

September 23 to 27, 2024. September 30 is the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

On-Campus Activities

Make Your Own Orange Ribbon – All week

The orange ribbon has become a symbol of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, representing the commitment to acknowledging and addressing the painful legacy of residential schools and the harm inflicted upon Indigenous communities. Come to Plato’s Cave and make your own orange ribbon.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, September 23th – Friday, September 27th

Location: Plato’s Cave

Speak Your Piece – September 24

An open dialogue for students to learn, reflect, and share your own experiences, opinions, and ideas on how we can move forward together

RSVP Here

Event Details:

Topic: Truth and Reconciliation

Date: Tuesday, September 24th

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Location: Room 308

Test Your Knowledge & Win Free Orange Shirts – September 23-26

Test your knowledge on Indigenous culture and truth & reconciliation in just 3-5 minutes! 

Pass the quiz and win a free orange T-shirt (first come, first served), perfect for wearing at the march on September 30.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, September 23th – Thursday, September 26th

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Room 209

Group Visit Tours: UBC Museum of Anthropology

Discover more about Indigenous culture and history by visiting the UBC Museum of Anthropology (MOA).

Join us for a group tour or explore on your own—just be sure to bring your UBC Affiliate Student Card.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, September 23rd; Wednesday, October 2nd

Time: 12:00 PM to 13:30 PM

Location: Gather at SRC at 12:00 PM OR Meet at the MOA at 12:15 PM

Lunch & Learn with NCTR

Join us for a series of 50-minute online webinars organized by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) during Truth and Reconciliation Week. Each day features engaging discussions with guest speakers from diverse fields, exploring crucial topics related to reconciliation and Indigenous issues.

Webinar Schedule:

• Monday: Health-related impacts of the residential school system.
• Tuesday: Allyship and confronting unconscious bias.
• Wednesday: Impacts and addressing Indigenous identity fraud.
• Thursday: A community perspective of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Friday: How do we address the barriers to reconciliation?

Let’s attend these enlightening sessions together at Plato’s Cave.

For more details, visit the NCTR page: NCTR Lunch and Learns

Events on the UBC Campus

See Featured Events at UBC on their webpage: Orange Shirt Day at UBC

Explore events happening at UBC including:

• Film screening
• Gallery tours
• Public gatherings and speech
• Virtual seminars
• And more!

Intergenerational March – September 30

Join us for the Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day (OSD). Open to the UBC community, families, and all those in solidarity, this march is designed to foster education and support for Indigenous communities on campus and beyond. Through interactive activities, younger participants will have the chance to connect with the original stewards of this land, encouraging meaningful conversations about a challenging chapter in Canadian history.

View the march agenda and explore the interactive map on our webpage: 2024 Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day.

Self-learning resources

1. Reading: The Story of Orange Shirt Day (4 mins read)

• An article by the Orange Shirt Society.
•  Read the Story of Orange Shirt Day 

2. Online Course: Weaving Relations

• A self-directed online course on Canvas developed by the UBC Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. 
• Weaving Relations explores Indigenous histories, people, and contexts, as well as settler colonialism in Canada, through the lens of Indigenous-Canadian relationships. The course considers how we got to where we are now, and how we can build a better future together. 
• Take the Course Weaving Relations | UBC Applied Science

3. Film: Spirit Bear and Children Make History 

• A short animated film based on true events, following Spirit Bear and a group of children as they stand up for the rights of First Nations children in Canada. It highlights the journey of advocating for equity and justice in the Canadian school system.
• Watch the film Spirit Bear and Children Make History 

4. Books: Explore Indigenous Voices and Stories at the UBC Bookstore 

• UBC Bookstore aims to introduce the UBC community to Indigenous Voices and stories with a wide range of books by new and established Indigenous authors. They also partner with the AMS society to host an Indigenous Book Market in October, which aims to celebrate Indigenous literature in all genres.  Visit the UBC Bookstore in person or browse their selection online.
• Indigenous Voices – UBC Bookstore

5. Website: The Indigenous Foundations website

• A website that offers comprehensive resources about Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues created by UBC’s  First Nations and Indigenous Studies program. It aims to provide valuable educational materials and insights to support understanding and engagement with Indigenous perspectives. The site covers a range of topics, including Indigenous rights, history, and cultural practices, and is designed to promote learning and awareness among students and the broader community.

• Explore and learn at Indigenous Foundations