Where Edmontonians can participate in National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events

Schools in Edmonton will be closed on Tuesday for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, butstudents took time to honour Indigenous people on Monday.

On Tuesday, Canada will commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by honouring residential school survivors, the children who never returned home and Indigenous Peoples’ cultures.

Schools and several businesses will be closed for the holiday to give people a chance to reflect on a chapter of dark Canadian history and show solidarity by wearing orange shirts.

Many events will be occurring around the city to honour Indigenous people and their traditions.

Here are some of the events happening Tuesday:

• Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts on all the top Edmonton stories

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park will be closing all attractions other than the Indigenous Peoples Experience during National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

A smudging ceremony will be conducted starting at 9:30 a.m. and admission will be free to all Indigenous Peoples for the day.

Workshops are scheduled throughout the day, including the Balance miyo-mahcihoyān session hosted by Indigenous cultural helper advisor Kyle M. Campiou.

Other events include the Inuit Residential School Experience, a healing circle and a panel discussing growing up as a Sixties Scoop survivor.

More information can be found on Fort Edmonton Park’s website.

Truth and Reconciliation Film Screening

The Edmonton Short Film Festival and Audreys Books are hosting a community screening of local Indigenous short films and a Q&A session with local Indigenous authors.

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. and will run until 6 p.m. at Audreys Books, located at 10702 Jasper Ave.

The event is free to attend, and food and refreshments will be available.

Royal Alberta Museum

Local Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal will be unveiling a miniature display of St. Martin’s Catholic Mission School at the Royal Alberta Museum and will speak about his art starting at 1 p.m Tuesday.

A screening of the documentary Miniature will be held, which features a look into the creation of the Cardinal’s work.

The event is free with admission.

Telus World of Science Edmonton

The science centre will be hosting a day-long event that combines community and culture.

A tipi setup will kick off the day’s events and will be followed by a smudging ceremony and a prayer.

Throughout the day, there will be drummers, demonstrations, a tea ceremony and Indigenous vendors present selling their wares.

Telus World of Science will be providing free general admission to Indigenous Peoples on Tuesday.

Fort Saskatchewan Tipi raising

The Fort Heritage Precinct will serve as the location for Fort Saskatchewan’s Truth and Reconciliation festivities.

A ceremony will be held to raise a 26-foot tipi that features artwork by Ojibwe artist Ellie Lagrandeur to honour Indigenous Peoples.

Bannock and stew will be offered to the first 150 guests for lunch.

The event begins at 10 a.m.

St. Albert

The City of St. Albert will host guest speakers, knowledge keepers, performers and local vendors at Mission Park to commemorate the solemn day.

An honour walk will take place from the park to the St. Albert Healing Garden.

A First Nations showcase featuring dancers and drummers will precede the closing ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

Strathcona County

Kicking off Strathcona County’s Truth and Reconciliation event will be a smudge ceremony at Festival Place in Sherwood Park.

The day will be filled with bannock tasting, complimentary hot chocolate and coffee, as well as an honour walk around Broadmoor Lake Park.

More information on the event can be found here.

World premiere: What We Carry

The Edmonton International Film Festival group will be hosting the world premiere of What We Carry, a story of reconciliation, respect and understanding that was inspired by the discovery of 215 children found near a Kamloops residential school.

The documentary’s director, Jessie Anthony, will be participating in a Q&A session at 3:30 p.m. at Landmark Cinemas 9 City Centre located at 10200 102 Ave.

Churchill Square

City officials will raise Every Child Matters banners in Churchill Square where the city will lower flags at half-mast to honour those affected by residential schools.

A Survivor’s flag will also be displayed at City Hall.

In a show of solidarity, the High Level Bridge, Walterdale Bridge, City Hall, Muttart Conservatory, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton Tower and Rossdale Power Plant will be lit orange.

For more information, click on the City of Edmonton’s website.