If you’re a Montrealer, Quebecer or Canadian, you know why this day is important – and why this day, a federal holiday since 2021, absolutely must be a day of commemoration, personal education and reconciliation.
We have a list of events in Montreal, as well as resources to decolonize our minds, and for all to participate in creating a world that repairs and recognizes a country created by the theft of land and the systematic destruction of the native aboriginal peoples of the land.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation was originally created to honor one of the requests of the 2008 Commission of Inquiry of the same name.
The purpose of this commission was to document the history and lasting impacts of the “Indian Residential Schools” system in Canada – residential schools where the “Indian in the child” was “killed” and atrocious abuses were perpetrated on aboriginal children torn from their families. Many never returned.
These residential schools, active throughout the 20th century, caused generational trauma – among others – in those who survived them, as well as in their communities and families.
It is of the utmost importance to listen to the survivors of the residential schools and acknowledge the atrocities that have been suppressed and denied by the Canadian government for almost 100 years.
This commemoration is also known as “Orange Sweater Day”, because of the orange t-shirts worn by aboriginal activists (and by all, in solidarity with aboriginal peoples and residential school victims) after the testimony of survivor Phyllis Webstad.
The Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation author created Orange Sweater Day (which became National Day of Truth and Reconciliation).
Events in Montreal
Every Child Matters” march
This walk is organized every year by the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, and will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, starting at 1 pm.
A float will be available for seniors and people with reduced mobility, orange T-shirts will be distributed to participants (until they run out), and everyone is invited to walk for the children lost at residential schools and for the survivors.
The walk will be led by Lance Delisle, and co-hosted by Nakuset and Fay Desjarlais. Speakers will include Kevin Deer, Henriette McKenzie, Sacred Wolf Drummers, Ellen Gabriel, Janelle Lapointe, Kahsennenhawe Sky Deer and Leonard Sumner.
Where? Parc Mont-Royal, Tam-tam meeting point (George-Étienne Cartier monument)
When? Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 1 p.m.
How? The walk is open to all
Watch a film from the NFB’s online catalog of Aboriginal films
The purpose of this day is also to educate ourselves about aboriginal communities – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – who for a very long time were victims of what is now called “cultural genocide”.
One of the best ways to learn about and recognize the first peoples of what is now Canada is to listen to their voices.
The National Film Board of Canada’s website has a huge catalog of films produced and directed by aboriginal artists, including my favorite documentary film in the world – Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance by the immense Abenaki director Alanis Obomsawin.
You can see all these films for free!
An educational activity and a stroll through the First Nations Garden at the Botanical Garden
To explain this very dark (and very recent) chapter of the country’s history to children, this is an activity that mixes the educational lesson with the encouraging positivism of reconciliation and healing for affected communities.
We’re encouraged to wear orange and join in this free activity.
Where? First Nations Garden, Botanical Gardens, 4101 Sherbrooke Street East
When? Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 1 to 6 p.m.
How? Free and open to all
Kent Monkman exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts – FREE SEPTEMBER 30
Cree artist Kent Monkman, an immense Aboriginal painter and one of the most important artists of our generation, has a solo show at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts opening this weekend.
Monkman’s monumental oil paintings use humor and pictorial inspiration from the great battle paintings of the Renaissance and the “conquest of America” to tell the story from an aboriginal point of view.
Her alter-ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, moves from scene to scene – bringing back children torn from their families and forcibly sent to boarding schools, avenging, saving, transcending.
For National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is completely free – and you can see this incredibly important exhibition for free too.
Where? 1380 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
When? September 30, 2025, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How? Free admission on National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
YAWENDA’ exhibition, 40 years of aboriginal theatrical creation
Sometimes it’s hard to see Quebec’s aboriginal voices and creations in this chaotic melting pot of culture, with sports matches on giant screens, endless reinventions of Molière plays and concerts that leave Place des Arts in a post-apocalyptic state.
The YAWENDA’ exhibition puts the spotlight on Aboriginal theater of the last 40 years, with a journey through 7 tableaux…
YAWENDA’ takes place throughout the Quartier des Spectacles in 7 outdoor showcases, and is completely free of charge.
It highlights three key periods in Aboriginal theatrical creation: mythological theater, healing theater and contemporary Aboriginal theater.
At the heart of the exhibition is the work of the Ondinnok company. “Ondinnok” means “theatrical healing ritual” in the Wendat language, and through artifacts, photos and archives we discover the journey of this theatre company.
Where and when? September 11 to November 9
An exhibition celebrating 40 years of Aboriginal theater in Quebec
Daily and evenings until 11 p.m.
On Promenade des Artistes
WOLI KPOTENOM | purification
Screenings every day from dusk onwards
Facade of UQAM’s Pavillon Président-Kennedy
A co-production of Ondinnok and the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada.
Costumes on display & a documentary Salutations: Te’skennongweronne – Yves Sioui Durand
Espace ONF (1500, rue Balmoral)
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (schedule subject to change)
Costumes are on display at all times.
How? Free admission
To learn more about the colonial treatment of Canada’s aboriginal peoples, “cultural genocide” or just to get to know aboriginal peoples better, we recommend taking a look at these online resources;
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Resilience Montreal
- Native creators and designers in Montreal
- Land InSights
- Montreal Aboriginal Community Network
For Truth and Reconciliation,