Xe xe Smun’ eem-Victoria Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters Ceremony
Sept. 30 from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Centennial Square
This is an annual event organized by residential school survivor Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray and supported by the City of Victoria. The event features Indigenous performers and speakers, the raising of the Orange Shirt Day flag and a minute of silence to honour children who died at residential schools.
The name of this event, Xe xe Smun’ eem, means “Sacred Children” in the Cowichan or Quw’utsun language.
> victoria.ca/EN/meta/news/news-archives/2021-news/xe-xe-smun-eem-victoria-orange-shirt-day-every-child-matters-ceremony-is-sept-30-in- centennial-.html
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Orange Shirt Day at the University of Victoria
Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The day is organized into three events that represent the past, present and future, starting at 9 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. Speakers will discuss the history of residential schools and the role of education in reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.
The university is also hosting film screenings at Cinecenta on Sept. 27 and 28.
> uvic.ca/event/orange-shirt-day
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National Reconciliation Day Ride
Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon
Starting and ending at Centennial Square
Capital Bike and Victoria Orange Shirt Day are hosting a bike ride in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with stops at locations of significance to the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ people where organizers will share stories about each stop’s history.
> gobybikebc.ca/greater-victoria/2021/09/21/announcing-reconciliation-day-ride
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ReconciliAction Oak Bay
Sept. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m.
At the Sno’uyutth Welcome Pole, in front of Oak Bay High School, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd.
A group of community organizations invites residents to an event honouring residential school survivors, their families and the children who never came home. Members of the Songhees Nation will be present to share their wisdom.
ReconciliAction Oak Bay is also hosting a film screening of Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, 1701 Elgin Rd.
> stmarysoakbay.ca/events/honouring-children-and-survivors/2021-09-30
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Open house at Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Sept. 30 from noon to 5 p.m.
1040 Moss St.
The art gallery is welcoming visitors to view their two current exhibitions for free, which offer starting points for conversations around reconciliation. Holding Ground is an Indigenous-led exhibition that examines the history and continuation of Indigenous resistance.
> aggv.ca/events/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation
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Unveiling of territorial acknowledgement plaque
Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.
Hampton Park, 3401 Tillicum Rd.
Hampton Little League is unveiling a permanent sign in the park acknowledging the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations.
