National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, which commemorates the impact and continuing legacy of the residential school system, honours survivors and their communities and acknowledges the work we all need to do toward reconciliation. To mark the importance of this day, AGA will offer complimentary admission to visitors wearing an orange shirt and illuminate our light column in orange.

While recognizing the part museums have played in our colonial history, the AGA reaffirms our commitment to raising awareness about the harms committed against Indigenous peoples and works to further understanding through our actions, programs and exhibitions.

In the upcoming exhibition Here I am: Can you see me?, George Littlechild’s portraits of residential schoolchildren illustrate the devastating impacts of the residential school system as well as the pride, strength and beauty of First Nations peoples. George Littlechild shares the following: “…after painstakingly rendering these scenes, depictions from Canada's genocide, one of many placed upon its Indigenous Population, my heart would hurt and tears would roll, often having to sit and try to heal before starting the next art piece in the series. Sending love to all the survivors and their descendants as well to all those who died at the schools and those that died after surviving, on skid roads across Canada from addiction.”

Please see this list of Indigenous-owned places to buy orange shirts. Alberta artist Alex Janvier has also designed orange shirts for purchase.

Here I am – Can you see Me? is curated by MJ Belcourt Moses and presented by Capital Powered Art, an exhibition series sponsored by Capital Power.