The ‘National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’ “honours the Children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process” as one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. 

We all share a collective responsibility to learn about Canadian history, as we work towards cultural restoration for Indigenous Peoples. We are all stewards of these Lands, and recognize that we must listen to and learn from Indigenous peoples during this time of healing.  Olds College of Agriculture & Technology follows the guidance of our Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to advance reconciliation year-round.

As we continue to mourn for the Children that never returned home from residential schools, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology Indigenous Services invites residential school survivors to Campus to host Ceremonies (for the Children) and Talks for Staff, Students, and Faculty throughout the week of September 26-29.

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National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

The ‘National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’ “honours the Children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process” as one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. 

We all share a collective responsibility to learn about Canadian history, as we work towards cultural restoration for Indigenous Peoples. We are all stewards of these Lands, and recognize that we must listen to and learn from Indigenous peoples during this time of healing. 

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology follows the guidance of our Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to advance reconciliation year-round.

As we continue to mourn for the Children that never returned home from residential schools, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology Indigenous Services invites residential school Survivors to Campus to host Ceremonies (for the Children) and Talks for Staff, Students, and Faculty throughout the week of September 26-29.

There will be a variety in the level of Indigenous engagement opportunities for the week of National Truth and Reconciliation in both virtual and in-person formats. Virtual topics include Canadian history & residential schools, Land Treaties, colonization, and how to keep reconciliation alive and go beyond Orange Shirt Day.

We are all at different points in our journey to reconciling relationships with Indigenous peoples, and Staff, Faculty, and Students are encouraged to self-reflect, be gentle with yourself, and participate at your own pace. 

Tobacco will be provided if you seek guidance from an Elder, or wish to make an offering to the Fire, Land, or Water. The Sweat Lodge Ceremonies are first come first serve, and Women are required to wear a long skirt and long sleeve shirt, and men long pants. Cree Protocol requires women who are on their Moontime (menstruation), to refrain from the Sweat Lodge and Pipe Ceremonies because women are highly energetic and honoured during this time. 

Throughout the week, the Elders will be available for open dialogue discussions in the Teepee where the community is welcome to join and visit with the Elders at their convenience. There is no set agenda for the morning Teepee discussions and the afternoons will consist of virtual sessions that will take place in the Learning Commons Boardroom and the Centennial Village Boardroom.

Meet Our Elders

Patrick Provost and Alvin Prairie Chicken are from Piikani Blood Tribe and the Blackfoot Confederacy. Elder Patrick and Elder Alvin hosted the existing Sweat Lodge in the Wetlands and they will share Blackfoot Teachings and the story of the Blackfoot Sweat Lodge. 

Patrick Provost is a residential school Survivor and gifted Horseman. Patrick hosts Horse healing workshops for couples, parents and individuals; his unique approach to working with the Horse comes from his experience in residential school. Elder Provost is a gentle horseman, and his Indigenous Horse therapy programming is highly sought after.

Gordon Gladue is from Wabasca, and the Bigstone Cree Nation where he was a Band Councillor for 18 years. Elder Gladue is the founder of Urban Rez Society in Edmonton where he works closely with Urban Indigenous Youth. Gordon has a background in Oil and Gas and is a gifted leader, Survivor and Ceremonial Cree Elder. 

Jonas ThunderChild from ThunderChild Cree Nation (Treaty 6 SK). Elder ThunderChild is committed to teaching the Cree language, and he holds a Bachelor of Education Degree; he  is a Residential school Survivor, a 60s Scoop Survivor, and gifted Storyteller. Elder Thunderchild accompanied 10 Sundances this summer and is an experienced Cree Ceremonial Elder. 

The Elders will be hosted in the Wetlands Teepee for open discussions for Students from Sept 27-28, 10 a.m. - 12p.m. Staff and Faculty have the opportunity to visit the Elders from 9 a.m - 10 a.m. Join us for a cup of Tea in the Teepee.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Events

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

An Every Child Matters Orange Rock Memorial has been set up in the Indigenous corner of the Olds College Wetlands to offer everyone a place for reflection and remembrance. The community is welcome to place any type of Rock, or a painted Orange Rock at the memorial location. Note: We will have orange paint on site.

Elder Patrick Provost, Alvin Prairie Chicken, Gordon Gladue, and Jonas Thunderchild will offer Teachings and Stories in the Wetlands Teepee from September 27 - 28, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Tobacco will be provided if you seek guidance from an Elder, or wish to make an offering to the Fire, Land, or Water.

    • 3:00 PM Blackfoot Pipe Ceremony for the Children

Thursday, September 29, 2022

A closing Sweat Lodge Ceremony will take place at the Wetlands Teepee at 12 p.m. Elder Patrick Provost, Alvin PrairieChicken, Gordon Gladue, and Jonas Thunder will hold a Closing Pipe Ceremony following the Sweat. The Closing Ceremony will include the Notes of Hope from last year’s events.

The Sweat Lodge Ceremonies are first come first serve, and Women are required to wear a long skirt and long sleeve shirt, and men long pants. Cree Protocol requires women who are on their Moontime (menstruation), to refrain from the Sweat Lodge and Pipe Ceremonies because women are highly energetic and honoured during this time.

September 30, 2022: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Olds College will be closed on September 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage the Olds College community to honour the day through education, awareness, and taking part in #OrangeShirtDay.

Additional Events

National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation virtual events 

Events across Alberta

Attend the Orange Shirt Day Commemoration
September 30, 10 a.m. at Fort Calgary, 750 9 Ave. S.E. 

  • Commemorate Indian residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Remembering the Children. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear orange in remembrance. The event will also be livestreamed at calgary.ca/live

Additional Resources

Portage & Main Press recommended books for all ages

Guided walks for land-based learning

Olds College is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations. The area is also home to Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Indigenous Olds College

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