National Day of Truth & Reconcillation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th) commemorates the history and legacy of the residential school system. It's a day to honour the resilience, dignity and strength of survivors and remember the children who never came home. It's a chance to engage and educate people about B.C.'s colonial history and how it has and continues to impact Indigenous communities. 

The Chamber will update this page as we receive details for Surrey & White Rock leading up to the day.

• Video message from Chief Harley Chappell of the Semiahmoo First Nation on the importance of the day. 

• Thursdays, October 5 from 6pm-8pm, join Surrey Local Immigration Partnership at Museum of Surrey (17710 56A Ave) for Stories from the Land, an opportunity to hear Indigenous stories from south of the Fraser River and share a meal in community.  

• Wed. Sep. 13 12:30PM - 2:30PM: The Chamber hosted a special meeting of the monthly Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance to commemorate the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation at the Historic Stewart Farm and Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House. This new facility provides a local space to support Indigenous cultural practices and art. Local indigenous artists will be featured at the meeting. (FREE)

• Sep 25 - 29 10:30AM - 11:20AM PDT: Link to daily virtual events hosted by the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation. Topics include: (FREE - registration required)
  • Mon. Sep 25: Indigenous peoples and the History of Residential Schools
  • Tue. Sep 26: Unconscious bias and debunking stereotypes
  • Wed. Sep 27: Intergenerational impacts and ongoing systemic discrimination
  • Thur. Sep 28: Indigenous peoples? rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Fri. Sep 29: Taking action toward Reconciliation

• Wed. Sep 27th 8AM - 9:30AM PDT virtual event: "Embracing Truth: Honouring the National Day for Reconciliation," with guest speaker Chris Sankey, Indigenous Affairs & Economic Reconciliation Advocate. Hosted by the BC Chamber of Commerce. (FREE - registration required)

•  Friday Sep 29th 7PM - 9:30PM - Surrey Eagles will be hosting a Truth & Reconciliation Game Day.  Come and share your support click here to purchase tickets.

• Friday, September 29 from 3pm-5pm, join Skookum Surrey at Holland Park (13428 – Old Yale Road) for an afternoon of drumming, sharing, tea, and bannock.

• Saturday, Sep. 30th 11AM - 2PM: Semiahmoo First Nation's 3rd Annual Walk for Truth & Reconciliation beginning near Grand Chief Bernard Robert Charles Plaza.