Each year on September 30, people across Canada wear orange shirts and come together for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a time to honour Survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never came home, and commit to ongoing learning and healing. In Northern Ontario, communities, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations host gatherings, ceremonies, and learning opportunities where everyone is welcome to listen, reflect, and take part.
Whether you’re a visitor or live here, showing up to these events is a meaningful way to connect, learn, and support Indigenous communities. And while you’re here, you can also explore Indigenous-owned tourism experiences that celebrate culture, resilience, and creativity across the North.
If we are missing an event happening in your Northern Ontario community email us at info@northernontario.travel to let us know.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · Time TBC · Grace Hartman Amphitheatre, Bell Park
An annual gathering of elders, residential school survivors, drummers, and hundreds of students, preceded in past years by a community walk in orange from the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre downtown to the park. The Greater Sudbury Police Service's Truth and Reconciliation Relay, now in its fifth year, closes out at the September 30 events.
N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, 110 Elm Street
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · 10am · Kiwanis Bandshell, North Bay waterfront
Hundreds of people in orange gather on the shore of Lake Nipissing for a solemn opening with smudging and tobacco ties, followed by a community walk to the North Bay Indigenous Hub and a feast. The walk is jointly organized by the Anishinabek Nation, the North Bay Indigenous Hub, and the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, which sells Orange Shirt Day shirts in the lead-up to the event.
North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · 10am · Timmins Native Friendship Centre, 179 Kirby Avenue
One of the region's longest-running Orange Shirt Day walks, held annually since 2013. The day typically begins at the centre with an opening prayer, drumming, and speeches before a community walk through downtown Timmins, followed by a shared meal and survivor storytelling.
Timmins Native Friendship Centre
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · Time TBC · Ininew Friendship Centre, 190 Third Avenue
A community walk from the friendship centre to the town pavilion, where elders and community members share personal stories and firsthand accounts of the residential school system, followed by a community lunch.
Ininew Friendship Centre 705-272-4497 · reception@ininewfc.ca
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · Time TBC · Algoma University, 1520 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie is the site of the former Shingwauk Indian Residential School, on the grounds of what is now Algoma University. The Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, and campus partners host commemorative programming each September 30. The survivor-driven permanent exhibition Reclaiming Shingwauk Hall is open to the public on weekdays year-round, with guided tours of the site available by booking. Sault College also runs Truth and Reconciliation Week programming in the days leading up to September 30.
algomau.ca · saultcollege.ca
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · Time TBC · Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) powwow grounds, Fort William First Nation
Fort William First Nation hosts its annual Fall Traditional Gathering on Anemki Wajiw, the mountain overlooking Thunder Bay and Lake Superior. The 2025 gathering, the tenth, opened with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m., with Grand Entry at 1 p.m., dance specials, and a feast at 5 p.m. It is one of the largest First Nation–hosted commemorations in Ontario, and the public is welcome.
Date and time TBC · Thunder Bay City Hall, 500 Donald Street East, to Vickers Park
Nishnawbe Aski Nation, representing 49 First Nations across Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territory, hosts a walk and gathering in support of residential school survivors and their families.
September 30, 2026 at Boulevard Lake
Join Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of this powerful community event. Come together to walk, run, remember, and honour Indigenous children, survivors, and their families on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
September 29, 2026, 6pm to 8pm · Hillcrest Park, High Street North
The City of Thunder Bay hosts an evening gathering with a sacred fire and the raising of the Survivors' Flag, held in 2025 on September 29. The city's roundup of local events, including the Honouring Our Children Run at Boulevard Lake in support of the Mazinaajim Children's Foundation, is posted at thunderbay.ca.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · Grand Entry at 1pm · Jarnel Contracting Pavilion
Grand Council Treaty #3, the government of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 territory, hosts Kenora's Orange Shirt Day. The 2026 agenda begins with Grand Entry at 1 p.m., followed by a food break at 3 p.m., the honouring of survivors at 4 p.m., a giveaway at 4:30 p.m., and closing at 5 p.m.
Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 2, 2026 · Various times · Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, Town Beach, and Onaman Ziibi
The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre, and ONWA/SWAC host a full week of programming. The Walk for Truth and Reconciliation departs the friendship centre for Town Beach at 10 am on Tuesday, September 29, followed by guest speakers and a barbecue at 11 am. Walkers are encouraged to wear orange shirts or ribbon skirts.
September 30 opens with a sunrise ceremony at the friendship centre at 7 am, with Arts for Healing at Town Beach from 1 to 3 pm and a Cultural Night with drumming, a beading circle, and dinner from 5 to 7 pm The week also includes an Elder's Tea and sunrise ceremony on Monday, a film screening Thursday evening, cultural workshops Friday, and the Hands for Healing and Hope 'Orange Hand' display at the friendship centre all month.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · 12 pm ET · Broadcast live from Parliament Hill on APTN and major television and radio networks
A 90-minute commemorative program centering residential school survivors and Indigenous artists, presented by APTN and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. For schools, the NCTR also offers a free virtual education program from September 21 to 25, 2026.
These are commemorations led by Indigenous communities, not festivals. Wear orange, and buy your shirt from an Indigenous vendor or the Orange Shirt Society where you can, so proceeds support survivors. Arrive ready to listen. Photography may not be appropriate at ceremonies, so follow the lead of organizers. If a community walk or sunrise ceremony is open to the public, showing up is an act of support.
Support is available for anyone affected by the residential school system. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line offers 24-hour support at 1-866-925-4419.
To further your understanding and support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, consider exploring the following resources:
Indigenous & Residential Schools: Documentary films from the National Film Board of Canada'
Indian Horse (Stephen Campanelli)
Smoke Signals (Chris Eyre)
Rhymes for Young Ghouls (Jeff Barnaby)
Reel Injun (Neil Diamond)
The Grizzlies (Miranda de Pencier)
This collection of events and resources aims to support meaningful reflection and education as we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
