National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 @ 9:00 am - 12:45 pm
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, September 30th starting at 9:00AM at our Granville Island location (1400 Johnston St), for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
For the fifth year, we will be hosting a series of Indigenous-led events that offer an opportunity to come together to learn, reflect, and engage. These events invite us to honour the survivors of the residential school system, their families, and communities; to remember the children who never made it home; and to deepen our understanding of the history of the land we now call Canada.
All proceeds from this day go to the Urban Native Youth Association and All My Relations Indigenous Society to support their work with local Indigenous youth. Each event as listed below is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $10 for each event.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Arts Umbrella is generously supported by Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel.
Welcome Breakfast
9:00AM-10:15AM
Join us for a Welcome Breakfast, including a traditional welcome and opening for the day. This is a time for our community to come together to connect, reflect and enjoy Bannock boards provided by Tawnshi, featuring a fusion of Indigenous flavours.
Children’s Book Reading with Joseph A. Dandurand
10:30-11:15AM
Join Poet and Author Joseph A. Dandurand for a reading of his children’s books.
Director of the Kwantlen Cultural Center, Joseph A. Dandurand brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role as a storyteller. A member of Kwantlen First Nation located on the Fraser River, Dandurand has been a storyteller since he was a young man. His talent and passion for words and sharing stories has followed him through the many journeys of his life.
Recommended Audience: Ages 3+. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Family Art Project with Aleen Sparrow
11:30AM-12:45PM
Join Aleen Sparrow for an interactive Family Art Project. Aleen will lead children and caregivers in a traditional weaving art project that they can bring home with them.
Aleen Sparrow is an artist/model from Musqueam Territory, in 2019 she began learning traditional Salish weaving techniques from her mother Debra Sparrow which has allowed her to reconnect to a lost artform and inspire the next generation.
Recommended Audience: Ages 5+. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Attendees must reserve one ticket for every person in their group who will be attending the art project. Number of spaces limited.
Limited Edition James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry Notebooks
This year, we are also pleased to offer a limited-edition notebook featuring an original design by Indigenous artist and Arts Umbrella Board member James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry. All proceeds from notebook sales will support our charity partners.
Notebooks will be available for pick-up at the Arts Umbrella Granville Island Student Services desk between Wednesday, September 16 and Wednesday, September 30. Please have your receipt ready to show staff upon arrival.