Each year on Sept. 30th, known as Orange Shirt Day, Tribal Nations across North America pay tribute to the Native children who were forcibly removed from their families and placed in boarding and residential schools.
Here is Native News Online’s round-up of events happening tomorrow to commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
United States
Arizona
Tucson Indian Center Orange Shirt Day gathering
When and where: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; University of Arizona Campus Store, 1209 E. University Blvd., Tucson
Memorial walk, lunch and guest speakers; walk check-in starts at 8 a.m.
Heard Museum boarding school remembrance program
When and where: 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Heard Museum and Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix
Survivor panel, lunch and guided tour of the former school grounds. Paid registration required.
California
Folsom Lake College Orange Shirt Day
When and where: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Pacific; campus quad, Folsom
Reflection and resources on U.S. and Canadian boarding school systems.
Barstow Community College Orange Shirt Day
When and where: 12:30–1:30 p.m.; B Building Amphitheater, 2700 Barstow Road, Barstow
Educational presentation and a display of children’s shoes.
Sonoma State screening, discussion and nature walk
When and where: 5–7 p.m.; Wine Spectator Learning Center, Rohnert Park
Screening of a boarding schools episode of People of the West, discussion and optional garden walk. Free; registration requested.
UCSF Orange Shirt Day presentation
When and where: Noon–1:30 p.m. Pacific; virtual
Northern California Native American medical students’ livestreamed presentation; stream information on event page.
Maine
Penobscot Nation Every Child Matters walk
When and where: 5–6:30 p.m.; Indian Island Pavilion, Old Town
All ages welcome; limited orange shirts available.
Massachusetts
UMass Amherst Orange Shirt Day
When and where: 6–8 p.m. Eastern; Goodell Hall, Room 309, Amherst
Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz speaks on residential schools; orange shirt pin-making, food and shirts while supplies last. RSVP appreciated.
Michigan
University of Michigan Law School Orange Shirt Day gathering
When and where: 11:50 a.m.–1 p.m.; Jeffries Hall 0220, Ann Arbor
Food, community and a discussion of Orange Shirt Day history. Open to all; RSVP on event page.
Orange Shirt Day at Hessel School House
When and where: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; 3206 W. Cedar St., Hessel
Family-friendly observance honoring boarding school survivors and children who did not return home.
Sault Tribe Orange Shirt Day Community Feast
When and where: 5–7 p.m.; Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building, 11 Ice Circle, Sault Ste. Marie
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; orange shirts provided to attendees.
Marquette Intertribal Community awareness walk
When and where: 6 p.m. meeting, 6:15 p.m. walk; Grandview Apartments (former Holy Family Orphanage), 600 Altamont St., Marquette
Walk to the Seven Grandfathers sculpture; shuttle available for those who need it.
Minnesota
NABS community candlelight vigil and remembrance walk
When and where: 6 p.m. (doors 5:30 p.m.); Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
Public vigil, walk and remarks honoring Indian boarding school survivors and children who never returned home.
NABS Medicine Ball screening and panel
When and where: 12:30–3 p.m.; Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
Documentary and discussion; registration is full, with a waitlist available.
St. Francis Area Schools remembrance walk
When and where: 6 p.m.; Rum River North County Park, St. Francis area
Open to all; community members will discuss boarding school history and personal connections.
Minnesota State Mankato educational display
When and where: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Centennial Student Union Fountain, Mankato
Display with information on Orange Shirt Day.
Montana
University of Montana Sunrise Remembrance and community walk
When and where: 7:30 a.m.; Payne Family Native American Center Rotunda, Missoula
Remembrance followed by a campus walk with signs about boarding school history and impacts.
New York
Colgate University Remaining Native screening
When and where: 5–7:15 p.m.; Center for Women’s Studies Lounge, Hamilton
Film screening, dinner and Q&A with the director and documentary participants via Zoom; open to the public.
Virginia
Old Dominion University Orange Shirt Day
When and where: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Kaufman Mall, Norfolk
Educational resources, reflection and conversation hosted by the Higher Education Student Association.
Washington
Seattle Colleges Orange Shirt Day of Remembrance
When and where: Noon–2 p.m. Pacific; South Seattle College and livestream
Speakers, presentations, food and traditional medicines; livestream linked on event page.
Canada
Alberta
Pokaiks Children’s Commemorative Walk and Gathering
When and where: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Peace Bridge to Contemporary Calgary
Tenth annual commemorative walk and gathering.
Werklund Centre Makers Market, Powwow Showcase and Elders Story Project
When and where: Market 11 a.m.; showcase 5 p.m.; evening program 7 p.m.; Calgary
Free tickets; entry without a ticket subject to capacity.
British Columbia
UBC Intergenerational March
When and where: 11:45 a.m.–3 p.m.; UBC Vancouver, meeting at 1956 Main Mall
March, Indigenous speakers and drumming; separate sacred fire from 7 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Manitoba
Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Powwow
When and where: Opening 9:30 a.m. at The Forks; grand entry 1 p.m. at Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg
Sixth annual healing walk and powwow.
Day with Grandma Shingoose
When and where: 9–11 a.m.; The Healing Forest, St. John’s Park, Winnipeg
Truth and reconciliation gathering.
Sacred Fire at the Indigenous Peoples’ Garden
When and where: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; The Leaf, Winnipeg
Sacred fire observance.
Orange Shirt Days at the Manitoba Museum (through Oct 2, 2026)
When and where: All-day programming; 190 Rupert Ave., Winnipeg
Free admission; runs Sep 30, 2026–Oct 2, 2026.
FortWhyte Alive day of learning and reflection
When and where: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; 1961 McCreary Road, Winnipeg
Free admission and all-day programming.
Gimli truth and reconciliation gathering
When and where: 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Gimli Park Pavilion
Community gathering.
Portage la Prairie Orange Shirt Day walk and gathering
When and where: Walk 9 a.m. from City Hall; gathering 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Keeshkeemaquah Reserve
Walk followed by community gathering.
Ontario
The 519 Orange Shirt Day gathering (Tuesday, Sep 29, 2026)
When and where: 3–7 p.m.; 519 Church St., Toronto
Sacred Fire, storytelling, conversation with survivor Karen Chaboyer, food and children’s art. Register on event page.
Laurentian University day of learning
When and where: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.; Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, Sudbury
Sacred fire, speakers and learning sessions.
Durham College Orange Shirt Day Mini Powwow
When and where: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Oshawa campus
Drumming, dancing, teachings and vendors.
Hamilton community gathering
When and where: Sunrise ceremony 7 a.m.; gathering 10 a.m.–noon; West Harbour James St. Plaza
Free public ceremony, speakers, drumming and poetry.
Toronto Metropolitan University Orange Shirt Day
When and where: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; various campus locations, Toronto
Sacred fire and sunrise ceremony, followed by commemorative programming; community welcome.
Stratford film screenings and discussion
When and where: From 9 a.m.; City Hall Auditorium, Stratford
Three National Film Board films followed by discussion.
Stratford sunrise ceremony and solidarity walk
When and where: Ceremony 7:30 a.m.; walk 6 p.m.; Falstaff Family Centre and Avon River
Indigenous teachings and an evening walk.
Saskatchewan
Every Child Matters Powwow (Sep 29, 2026–Sep 30, 2026)
When and where: Grand entries noon and 6 p.m.; SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon
Two-day powwow.
Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk
When and where: 8–10 a.m.; Victoria Park, Saskatoon
Third annual run/walk honoring residential school survivors and those who did not survive.
Regina Orange Shirt Day commemoration
When and where: 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; mâmawêyatitân centre, Regina
Pipe ceremony at 8:30 a.m.; program at 10 a.m.
Circle Project Honour Walk
When and where: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Victoria Park, Regina
Orange Shirt Day walk hosted by The Circle Project and friends.
Wanuskewin truth and reconciliation gathering
When and where: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon
Annual gathering at the heritage park.
Online only
Sault Tribe Orange Shirt Day photo gathering
When and where: All day; online
Wear orange and share a photo in comments on the Advocacy Resource Center Facebook page.
Engaging in the Work of Repair panel
When and where: 7:30–9 p.m. Eastern; online
Presentation and discussion on truth-telling and repair, listed by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.
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