This new holiday, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, is a great chance to sit and reflect on our history. It’s a day to think about the history of violence, genocide, and injustice that Canada has committed against Indigenous people, and a day to learn about what it means to be non-Indigenous on this land.
It’s a new holiday, so we’ve come up with some ways for you to spend the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Vancouver.
Read literature by Indigenous authors
If you’re a bookworm, the Indigenous-owned and run bookshop Massey Books has put together a great list of titles by Indigenous authors. They recommend books on contemporary issues, Indigenous history, as well as books for kids! If you’re looking to add to your reading list, this is the place to check out. Oh, and be sure to buy from them if possible!
Where: 229 E Georgia St
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Get some Indigenous Food at Salmon n’ Bannock
Vancouver’s only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant is a place to check out if you haven’t. They expertly serve up great Indigenous eats like wild salmon, game meats, and, of course, bannock. Dine-in, take out or even delivery is available, so why not support an Indigenous-owned place, as well as eating some great food?
Where: 7-1128 West Broadway
When: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Watch Beans at The Rio
Beans is a new movie by Mohawk filmmaker Tracey Deer about a young Mohawk girl coming of age during the Oka Crisis in Quebec. Not only is going to be a great movie but some of the filmmakers will be Zoomed in to answer audience questions about the movie. It’ll be worth checking out!
Where: The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway
When: Doors 3:30 p.m., Movie 4 p.m.
Cost: $15
Check out a performance by the Vancouver Art Gallery
A performance by Tsatsu Stalqayu, Mortal Coil and Butterflies in Spirit entitled Xweýene:msta:m ?əkwəsqwel, seýeḿ will be taking place. It will feature contemporary music and dance, along with more traditional Coast Salish dress and song. We know it will be a fitting tribute to the day.
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly known as the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)
When: 12 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Attend the Orange Shirt Day Ceremony
This event is definitely worth checking out. It will be a solemn tribute to the day, with guest speakers, Elder testimonials and more. Put together by several Indigenous organizations in the city, the event will start at Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre and then include a walk to Grandview Park. A very, very important ceremony and event.
Where: 1607 East Hastings Street and then Granview Park
When: 9 a.m.
Cost: Free
And there is our rundown of things to do on the first-ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a very important day, so we hope that these events and resources teach you more about it!
