National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30th the City of Prince Albert would like to encourage everyone to wear an orange shirt in honour of the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools in Canada and remember those who didn’t. September 30 is also an opportunity to come together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Orange shirts are a reminder of the residential school system's harm to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, their families, and their communities and an affirmation of a commitment to ensure that everyone matters. Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day shirts can be purchased at the Prince Albert Indian & Metis Friendship Centre. The shirt's design is by Ailah Carpenter.

Buttons can also be purchased at Lake Country Co-op. Lake Country Co-op will match the proceeds from the sales and donate them to the Kikinahk Friendship Centre, Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre, and Nipawin Oasis Community Centre Co-operative Ltd.

There are events throughout the City that will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

• September 30 - Prince Albert Historical Museum Free Admission from 9 am – 4 pm
• September 30 - Prince Albert Grand Council – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event at 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at the PAGC Cultural Centre (1511 9th Avenue West) to honour Indigenous children’s lives, voices, and futures.
• Orange Shirt Day Stencil —Organizations and businesses can borrow the stencil for their windows or sidewalks. Please call the Margo Fournier Arts Centre to book at (306) 953-4811.
• For complete event details, visit the paevents.ca page.

Orange Shirt Day honours the legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration held in Williams Lake in spring 2013. It originated from Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story of losing her shiny new orange shirt on her first day at the Mission, and it has become a yearly opportunity to keep discussions about all aspects of residential schools alive. The date was chosen because children are back to school, teachers can plan ahead, and it provides a chance to introduce anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the year. 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday following unanimous approval in the Senate in 2021. The day was established in response to the 80th call to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.

Since September 30, 2021, the City of Prince Albert has formally recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid holiday for City employees. City Hall will be closed, and other facilities might have restricted hours.

City Transit is operating on September 30.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Kiley Bear
Director of Corporate Services
P:(306) 953-4884