National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
Monday, September 30

In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day (Monday, September 30), the Assiniboine Park Conservancy will host a Sacred Fire in the Indigenous Peoples Garden at The Leaf to honour the resilience, strength, and bravery of the survivors of the Indian Residential School System.

Park visitors are encouraged to consider the importance of this day as an opportunity for our community to pause and reflect on the tragic legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School System, the harms of the past and present, and how we can come together as a community to work toward a better future for all

Sacred Fire | 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fire Node, Indigenous Peoples Garden at The Leaf

The Sacred Fire will begin at 7:30 a.m. on September 30 and be maintained until 6:00 p.m. The Fire Node in the Indigenous Peoples Garden at The Leaf is a welcoming and contemplative space open to all. Join us here for a quiet moment of personal reflection.

Community Donations

In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we will also engage with visitors to support the work of two Indigenous-led organizations through a minimum donation of $10,000 to be divided evenly between the Orange Shirt Society and Circles for Reconciliation.

The donation will consist of the following:

• 15% of sales earned from admissions at The Leaf and Assiniboine Park Zoo on Monday, September 30.
• 100% of orange lapel ribbon donations – On Monday, September 30, orange lapel ribbons purchased from Dreamcatcher Promotions will be offered to visitors with a request for donations at the Park Café, The Leaf, the Fire Node in the Indigenous Peoples Garden, and multiple locations in the Zoo (Zoo Entrance, Tundra Grill, and Wild Things Unique Gifts).
• 100% of orange t-shirt sales – Orange t-shirts featuring a custom design created by Paige Spence, an Indigenous woman who interned at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, are available for purchase ($15, taxes included) at Wild Things Unique Gifts. Located at the Zoo entrance at 2595 Roblin Blvd, Wild Things is accessible with or without Zoo admission. While quantities last.

As a gesture of solidarity and empathy, all Assiniboine Park Conservancy employees will wear orange shirts or an orange lapel pin from Friday, September 27 to Monday, September 30. In addition, The Leaf will be illuminated with orange lights from the evening of Friday, September 27 until the morning of Tuesday October 1.

Thank you to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Committee for their leadership and contributions to the ongoing process of reconciliation. The committee includes employees from across the organization who work together to coordinate meaningful, inclusive, and informative events in support of this important day of awareness.