Indigenous

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Reconciliation is an ongoing practice rooted in listening, humility and action. Each year, September 30 — National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) — reminds us to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and commit to change. Guided by UM’s Truth and Reconciliation Framework, we centre truth, foster learning and respect, and walk together on a journey that extends far beyond a single day.

Consult with UM’s Elders-in-Residence

September 25–29, 2025 Events at UM

Everyone is invited to take part in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events at UM. At the Heart Garden you can reflect, share messages and access resources to continue meaningful action beyond NDTR. Join us in hearing from Survivors. Walk with the Nursing Students' Association to show solidarity and remember all impacted by the Indian Residential School System.

Close-up of orange heart messages on grass.

Save the date

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Events
Sept. 25 - 29, 2025 | Various Locations

The Heart Garden - schedule of events

  Date  TimeActivity  Location
Sept 2510:00 AMPipe ceremony led by Elder Carl Stone

Marshall McLuhan Hall

11:00 AMOpening
12:00 PMBreak
1:00 PMPresident Remarks
1:10 PMHealing Journey - Kookum Karen Courchene
2:00 PMIndividual and Community Healing Journeys - Astrid MacNeill / Residential School Survivor
2:50 PMClosing
Sept 269:00 AM - 12:00 PMHeart Garden Reflection ActivitiesMarshall McLuhan Hall
9:00 AMTruth and Reconciliation Walk (program starts at 9:00 AM; walk begins shortly after 10:00 AM)Helen Glass Centre
Sept 291:00 - 3:00 PMTeach in for Reconciliation - Explore how researchers can work respectfully with Indigenous communities, with insights from the Sandy Bay Residential School Research Project.Desautels concert hall
3:00 PMSacred Fire/Burn Origami Shirts led by Kookum KarenMigizii Agamik

Marshall McLuhan Hall is located on the 2nd floor of University Centre. For any questions, reach out to Christina Courcelles.

How to leave your Heart Garden commitment?

 Date  Time Activity  Location  Description
Sept 1011:00 AM - 3:00 PMIndigenous OrientationUMSU PatioVisit our Heart Booth before the Heart Garden events. Write your message on an orange heart — we’ll laminate it and display it in the Heart Garden.
Sept 2012:00 - 2:30 PMBison Block PartyPrincess Auto Stadium
Sept 25 - 2610:00 AM - 3:00 PMThe Heart Garden

Marshall McLuhan Hall

Stop by the on-site Heart Booth during the event to share your message in person.

Reconciliation week at UM

During Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025, 
the UM campus will offer many opportunities to engage in reconciliation. 
You can take part in Indigenous-led ceremonies, join talks and participate in discussions 
that encourage reflection, learning and meaningful action.

Orange paper shirts with handwritten “Every Child Matters” messages displayed on a sunny window, symbolizing support for residential school Survivors.
Now until Sept 29

Remembering Residential Schools – Origami Shirt Making

Led by Kookum Karen, UM community members are invited to reflect and remember by folding a small orange origami shirt, writing the name of a loved one or community, or sharing a meaningful message or design; the shirts will be displayed in Migizii Agamik and respectfully burned together in a closing ceremony on September 29.
https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/indigenous/event/remembering-residenti…
Heart garden 2023 at UM.
sept 25-26

The Heart Garden

Hosted by the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous), the Heart Garden invites you to pause, reflect, and learn through a series of talks, discussions and public education activities on truth and reconciliation.
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Three speakers sit on stage for a panel discussion, addressing an audience wearing orange shirts during an Orange Shirt Day event.
FRI, SEPT 26

National Day of Truth & Reconciliation

Join Ongomiizwin at Brodie Centre Atrium to commemorate National Day of Truth & Reconciliation.
Learn more
"University of Manitoba nursing department leading a Truth and Reconciliation Walk on campus, with participants wearing orange 'Every Child Matters' shirts.
fri, sept 26

Truth and Reconciliation Walk

Join the College of Nursing for a Truth and Reconciliation Walk to honour Residential School Survivors, their families, and the children who never made it home. As part of Truth and Reconciliation Week, this walk offers the UM community an opportunity to reflect, learn and show support.

The program begins at 9:00 a.m., with the walk starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Helen Glass Centre.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOzMn2mjgec/?igsh=NXVyeXo2cjFyNmlz
Mashkiki Gitigaan Medicine Garden in UM.
Tue, Sept 16

Tea in the Medicine Garden

Come enjoy tea and a fire in the Mashkiki Gitigaan Medicine Garden with Ongomiizwin Knowledge Keeper George Muswaggon. It will be an opportunity to learn about our responsibility and roles in the journey of Truth and Reconciliation.
learn more
Close-up of smudging materials on a colorful cloth, including sage, a smudge pan with burning herbs, and other ceremonial items.
Mon, Sept 22

Fall Equinox

The Fall Equinox Celebration, hosted by Ongomiizwin, will take place on the Monday of Truth and Reconciliation Week. The day also includes a celebration of Ongomiizwin Education’s fall graduates, with a morning Pipe Ceremony and Sacred Fire and Fall Equinox Teachings and Feast at noon.
https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/healthsciences/event/fall-equinox-1/
Exterior view of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences building with “790 Dental Clinic” entrance, trees and flowers along the sidewalk.
fri, sept 19

Working towards more just futures
Navigating “where we live now”

Join the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ Social Justice and Anti-Racism Unit for the fall launch of the Dialogues of Disruption Speaker Series. This session brings together office directors and co-leads to reflect on gaps, challenges and next steps in dismantling systemic inequalities.
https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/healthsciences/event/dialogues-of-disr…
Desautels at UM.
mon, sept 29

Teach in Reconciliaton

Teach-In will focus on the Sandy Bay First Nation Indian Residential School Research Project, framed by the Working in Good Ways approach. (Details coming soon.)
https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/indigenous/event/teach-in-for-reconcil…
Orange paper shirts with handwritten “Every Child Matters” messages displayed on a sunny window, symbolizing support for residential school Survivors.
Heart garden 2023 at UM.
Three speakers sit on stage for a panel discussion, addressing an audience wearing orange shirts during an Orange Shirt Day event.
"University of Manitoba nursing department leading a Truth and Reconciliation Walk on campus, with participants wearing orange 'Every Child Matters' shirts.
Mashkiki Gitigaan Medicine Garden in UM.
Close-up of smudging materials on a colorful cloth, including sage, a smudge pan with burning herbs, and other ceremonial items.
Exterior view of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences building with “790 Dental Clinic” entrance, trees and flowers along the sidewalk.
Desautels at UM.
We need truth before Reconciliation.
Read the TRC Report and learn the history.
Anonymous Leave a message in the Heart Garden

Ways to participate in Reconciliation

At UM, there are many ways to engage in truth and reconciliation on campus. Join Indigenous-led ceremonies and events, visit the Heart Garden, listen to Survivor stories, and take part in talks and public education activities — each action is a meaningful step toward reconciliation.

Three Indigenous figures raising cultural items under the words “Truth Before Reconciliation,” with braids and symbols in the background.
Truth Before Reconciliation

Learn the History

Residential Schools operated in Canada for over 150 years, forcibly removing more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers a timeline and resources to help understand this history and its lasting impact.
Learn more about NCTR
call to action.
Reflect And Act

Read the TRC Calls to Action

Discover the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action — a roadmap for addressing the legacy of Residential Schools and advancing reconciliation across Canada.
Read the Calls to Action
Handmade orange paper hearts with messages honoring Residential School survivors and children who never returned.
Make your commitment

Contribute to the Heart Garden

This September, visit a Heart Booth and write your message on an orange heart. Your heart will be displayed in the Heart Garden exhibit from September 25–26, as part of a collective act of remembrance and reflection.
Someone wears an orange shirt.
HONOUR AND REMEMBER

Wear Orange on September 30

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, honouring Residential School Survivors and the children who never returned. Wearing an orange shirt symbolizes remembrance and commitment to reconciliation.
https://orangeshirtday.org/
Woman speaking at podium holding a drum during Orange Shirt Day, with others in orange shirts listening outdoors.
Be Part of the Journey

Attend Events and Ceremonies

At UM, join Indigenous-led ceremonies, prayers, Survivor talks and the Truth Walk to learn, reflect and connect with the community. By taking part, you help carry forward the work of truth and reconciliation.
See the UM NDTR Schedule
People wearing orange shirts and regalia participate in a Truth Walk, carrying flags and a staff with feathers.
Keep the Work Going

Commit to Ongoing Action

Bring reconciliation to life every day — in classrooms, workplaces and communities. Your actions help create lasting change and honour Survivors’ stories.
Follow us!
Christine Cyr, Nicki Ferland, and Vanessa Lillie standing together in front of the sweat lodge, holding gardening tools and smiling.
Learn, Listen, Respect

Respect Indigenous cultures and values

Deepen your understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures and values. Learn how to engage respectfully and meaningfully — in research, study and daily life — to help build a future rooted in reconciliation.
https://umanitoba.ca/indigenous/culture-and-protocols#cultural-protocols
Working in good ways with Indigenous people.
Building Respectful Relationships

Working in Good Ways with Indigenous communities

Before beginning any work — whether research, visits, or other interactions with Indigenous communities — explore the Working in Good Ways resources. They offer respectful and effective strategies to guide collaboration, helping students, faculty, and practitioners build relationships, reduce harm, and create meaningful, community-led learning and research experiences.
https://umanitoba.ca/community-engaged-learning/working-in-good-ways
Three Indigenous figures raising cultural items under the words “Truth Before Reconciliation,” with braids and symbols in the background.
call to action.
Handmade orange paper hearts with messages honoring Residential School survivors and children who never returned.
Someone wears an orange shirt.
Woman speaking at podium holding a drum during Orange Shirt Day, with others in orange shirts listening outdoors.
People wearing orange shirts and regalia participate in a Truth Walk, carrying flags and a staff with feathers.
Christine Cyr, Nicki Ferland, and Vanessa Lillie standing together in front of the sweat lodge, holding gardening tools and smiling.
Working in good ways with Indigenous people.

Path of Truth and Reconciliation

UM’s path of truth and reconciliation is unfolding, and we walk this journey with purpose, taking action every step of the way. Through events, initiatives and community collaboration, we honour Survivors and transform memory and reflection into momentum for meaningful change. The stories below highlight how reconciliation is thriving and inspiring our campus community.

Group photo of Elders, community members, and university leaders outdoors beside a tipi.

news

Home for Truth
NCTR funding.

news

Reconciliation Funding
Launch Event for UM’s Truth and Reconciliation Framework.

news

Time for Action
A group of people setting up a tipi.

news

Decolonizing Engineering at UM

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Contact us

Indigenous Engagement and Communicaitons
Office of Vice - President (Indigenous)
406 - 55 Chancellor’s Circle
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6 Canada

indigenous.engagement@umanitoba.ca