Arts organizations honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across the region
Storytelling, a live carving demonstration, and a theatre performance are among some of the ways people can reflect upon Indigenous history
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
NATIONAL DAY FOR Truth and Reconciliation takes place on September 30 in Canada (the region of Turtle Island on which we reside, derived from the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata”). It’s a day that marks the remembrance and mourning of the cultural genocide inflicted upon Indigenous peoples by the residential-school system, the harms of which are still felt intergenerationally.
September 30 was first known as Orange Shirt Day, which honours the story of Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) residential-school survivor Phyllis Webstad, from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). Webstad was sent to residential school at just six years old, wearing a shiny new orange shirt her grandmother had helped her pick out. When she arrived at school, the shirt was taken away from her, never to be returned. The colour orange now serves as a reminder of the injustices Indigenous people have faced in Canada’s history.
This year, several arts and culture organizations are commemorating the day with storytelling, community activities, and more. Here are some of the events taking place in and around Vancouver, the city located on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Crafting at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
At the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler, from 10 am to 5 pm
With a full day of events planned, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre honours the Skwxwú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl people through immersive programming and storytelling. Two gallery exhibitions—100 Years of Unity Squamish Amalgamation, and Unceded – A Photographic Journey into Belonging—are highlighted, with curator Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee leading a tour of the latter at 10 am. There’s a variety of interactive kid-friendly crafts and activities on-site, such as creating rope bracelets and dreamcatchers. Brandon Hall, who apprenticed under master carver Xwalacktun (Rick Harry), hosts a live carving demonstration from 10 am to 1 pm; and there’s a guided interpretive forest walk along the Salish Stroll at 3 pm. The day is complete with guest speakers and the centre’s food fixtures, the Thunderbird Café and Satellite Café. A moment of silence will be held at 2:15 pm.
Shaina Stephens. Photo by Sarah Bowman
Workshop with Shaina Stephens
At the Museum of Vancouver, from 11 am to 3 pm
Artist Shaina Stephens, from the Nisga’a village of Laxgalts’ap, leads an orange-shirt-making workshop to honour Webstad’s story. Using stencils and paint, Stephens guides participants through the creation of a shirt design while leading an open conversation about residential schools. A 22-year-old multimedia artist, Stephens is currently completing their master’s degree in fine arts at Emily Carr University. Their project REDress, Regrow (Do Not Pluck Me) has been displayed at both the Museum of Vancouver and YVR International Airport.
Artwork by Indigenous artist James Harry (Nexw’Kalus).
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Arts Umbrella
At Arts Umbrella on Granville Island, from 10 am to 3 pm
For a lineup of events centred around meaningful learning and reflection, Arts Umbrella invites students, families, and friends to partake in activities and conversations led by Indigenous artists. Highlights include a children’s book reading with Kwantlen First Nation poet Joseph A. Dandurand, family art projects with Métis educator Alexa Lizotte, and a lecture with Hunkpapa Lakota artist Dana Claxton (who received the prestigious $100,000 Audain Prize for Visual Art earlier this week). Plus, there’s open programming all day featuring a beading demonstration with Ulkatcho Dene artist Breanna Deis, tea and bannock from Raven and Hummingbird Tea Co., and more.
Miriam Berndt.
BC Culture Days: Rethinking Reconciliation with Indigenous Artist Miriam Berndt and Grace Ulu
Hosted online by Griffin Art Projects, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm
As part of the annual national Culture Days celebration taking place until October 15, North Vancouver-based nonprofit Griffin Art Projects hosts a conversation between mixed-media visual artist Miriam Berndt and self-taught Musqueam public artist Grace Ulu. Berndt, of Kahkewistahaw First Nation and Irish ancestry, is the inaugural recipient of Griffin Art Projects’s Emerging Indigenous Artist Studio Award. She explores the use of Plains Cree art-forms in her multidisciplinary work—which spans collages, landscape design, and counter cartography—and founded a decolonial architecture practice last year titled Land-Based Art+Design. Berndt and Ulu’s pre-recorded conversation will be introduced over Zoom by Faune Ybarra, public programming and residency coordinator at Griffin Art Projects.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022 at Place des Arts.
All My Relations: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
At Place des Arts, Coquitlam, from 1 pm to 4:30 pm
Kwakiutl First Nation artist Christine Mackenzie facilitates a drawing and painting activity that highlights the significance of cedar bough to Indigenous peoples. Mackenzie was an artist-in-residence at Place des Arts last September, and resumes the role this fall, providing no-cost arts learning workshops to kids. She works across mediums to connect folks with Indigenous culture, drawing from practices learned during a mentorship with Haida elder, artist, and facilitator Anastasia Henry. Mackenzie hosted a similar event at Place des Arts last year for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, during which participants helped create a mural of a butterfly’s life cycle.
Qwalena: The Wild Woman Who Steals Children.
Qwalena: The Wild Woman Who Steals Children
At Tightrope Improv Theatre from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
This already sold-out event features Siksika First Nation storyteller, musician, and stand-up comedian Dallas Yellowfly in a special presentation with Alysha Collie of 3 Crows Productions. During the performance promoting anti-racism, awareness, and education, Yellowfly narrates a scary story to the steady beat of a drum. He speaks of a wild woman who lures children into the forest and steals them—an allegory for the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and sent to residential schools. Proceeds from the show go to four Indigenous-led organizations: Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Society, Aboriginal Mother Centre Society, Kílala Lelum Urban Indigenous Health and Healing Cooperative, and Urban Native Youth Association.
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