National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday created in response to Call to Action 80. This day honours Survivors of residential schools and their families, communities and all those affected. We acknowledge that systemic discrimination and trauma continue to impact Indigenous Peoples today. In observance of this day, the Edmonton Humane Society’s administrative offices will be closed on Tuesday, September 30.
As an organization, we have been reflecting on the history and the path forward for truth and reconciliation in Canada. We encourage our supporters to do the same. The following resources are a starting point for learning and taking meaningful action in our community:
Educational Resources
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Calls to Action Accountability: A 2021 Status Update on Reconciliation by the Yellowhead Institute
- Beyond 94 by CBC
- Indigenous Canada – University of Alberta MOOC
- Aboriginal Worldviews and Education – University of Toronto Online Course
Local Organizations to Support or Volunteer With
Events to Participate In
- Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk
- Ten Years Later: Measuring Progress – Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
- Indigenous Events by the Edmonton Public Library
- Virtual Tour of the Former Mohawk Institute Residential School from Woodland Cultural Centre
Interactive Maps
Land Acknowledgement
The Edmonton Humane Society respectfully honours that we are situated upon Treaty 6 territory and the traditional Lands of many diverse groups of Indigenous peoples such as the nêhiyaw (Nay-hee-yow) / Cree, Dené (Deh-neyh), Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-in-ah-bay) / Saulteaux (So-toe), Niitsitapi (Nit-si-tahp-ee) / Blackfoot, Nakota Isga (Na-koh-tah ee-ska) / Nakota Sioux (Na-koh-tah sue), Métis’ (May-tee) and Inuit (I-nuit) ancestors and families.
It is with gratitude that we honour and respect this territory on which we live, work and support community, and the Peoples who for millennia have passed on their history, languages, ceremonies and culture from one generation to the next. As an animal welfare organization, we respect and learn from Indigenous teachings on environmental stewardship and the spiritual significance of human-animal relationships.
Moving Forward
Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility. Our team continues to learn and reflect on ways we can support Indigenous communities, integrate respectful practices into our work, and encourage our supporters to do the same.