nīkānītān manācihitowinihk | ni manachīhitoonaan
“Let us lead with respect”
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation for all of Canada.
The University of Saskatchewan will remain closed this day which coincides with Orange Shirt Day so students, staff, and faculty can reflect on and participate in this integral day. In 2025, the university will observe the statutory holiday on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
See below for events and programming held throughout the university's Week of Reflection leading up to September 30.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Calls to Action
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation responds to Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, which reads:
- We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Orange Shirt Day
The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30 opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools.
It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected.
Starting Monday, September 22, 2025, wear an orange shirt for the week as a message to yourself and others that you are committed to taking action.
Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.
The USask Indigenous Space & Visual Symbols in the Health Sciences Committee has partnered with Shop USask to provide orange shirts to help acknowledge Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30. Chris Chipak, a visual artist and educator from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, based in Saskatoon and a graduate of USask’s Bachelor of Education program, created this year’s featured artwork, now available through Shop USask.
Learn about the history of Orange Shirt Day — the annual event inspired by Phyllis Webstad's personal experience of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day in the Canadian residential school system.
Chris Chipak is a visual artist and illustrator from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, currently residing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and embraces lifelong learning as a core part of his journey. Chris uses his art to promote cultural education and represent the spirit of Treaty 6 territory. His work reflects a deep desire to tell stories and foster meaningful connections to Indigenous culture. As both an artist and educator, he integrates animal teachings and land-based knowledge into his practice, creating visual narratives that invite reflection, learning, and connection.
Events and Programming
Leading up to September 30, our USask community is encouraged to participate in a week of reflection on Truth and Reconciliation. We invite everyone to stroll through the Bowl and read the orange banners with the Calls to Action pertaining to post-secondary education, visit the library’s website for suggested reading, podcasts, and movies, and show support through participating in the many activities happening on campus and around Saskatoon.
7:30 am Pipe Ceremony
10:00 am Opening Prayer, Morning Song, Honor Song, Métis Anthem
10:30 am Speakers: Survivors Dignitaries
11:00 am Flag Raising & Flag Song
11:30 am Dance Performances
Location: Civic Square – City Hall 222 3rd Ave North, Saskatoon, Sk.
The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is offering a full day of programming in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Admission is by donation.
Sunday, September 28 at 6 pm
Monday, September 29 at 12 pm and 6 pm
Tuesday, September 30 at 12 pm
Location: SaskTel Centre
The Saskatoon Tribal Council is hosting the “Every Child Matters” – In Honour of Reconciliation Pow Wow at SaskTel Centre. Admission is free. Visit the event webpage for programming details and more information.
Everyone attending is encouraged to wear red on Sept. 29 and to wear orange on Sept. 30.
Resources and initiatives
USask learning resources
Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE) website
Learn about how USask is working with our communities on and off campus to uplift Indigenization by advancing initiatives and strategies that promotes Indigenous Knowledges and supports reconciliation and decolonization.
I-Portal: Indigenous Studies Portal
Learn about Indigenization, decolonization, the history of Indigenous Peoples and cultures, and other sudjects available through this Univerity Library resource.
Indigenous Wellness Resources
Supports are available here on campus, in the community and online.
Student Affairs and Outreach
The USask community is encouraged to access support services through Student Affairs and Outreach by calling (306) 966-5757 or emailing intake@usask.ca.
Community resources
Wellness and support
For emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada, residential school survivors can call 1-866-925-4419 . The Hope for Wellness Help Line is also available to Indigenous peoples across Canada 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Toll-free at 1-855-242-3310 or available via online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
Reconciliation Saskatchewan
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is working to support a provincial movement for truth and Reconciliation in the Treaty territory of Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon Tribal Council
The Saskatoon Tribal Council is dedicated to creating a respectful environment that inspires and encourages innovation and leadership while building and strengthening partnerships with communities, individuals and organizations.
Other ways to get involved
In 2021, the University Library presented the exhibit Not Just Another Day Off: Orange Shirt Day and the Legacy of Indian Residential Schools in the Murray Library to engage visitors to learn about the impact of the Indian Residential Schools through archival documents, published materials, and other physical items from the library’s collections. By considering treaties, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the TRC Calls to Action, the exhibit connected the Residential schools with anti-Indigenous racism and their combined legacies. It was meant to be a respectful demonstration of the work of generations of Indigenous educators, scholars and community members.
While the exhibit itself is no longer available, USask’s Media Production team captured the exhibit in a video narrated by the curators Donna van de Velde and Deborah Lee.
A research guide created by Métis librarian Sheila Laroque offers a wide variety of resources and invites us to continue our collective learning journey.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is offering a full day of programming in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Admission is by donation.
Saskatoon Tribal Council > is hosting a pow wow and concert in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This event is free to attend. Everyone is asked to wear orange.
Our Stories
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We acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.