Orange Shirt Day, observed each Sept. 30, honors Native children who were taken into Indian boarding and residential schools and supports survivors and community healing. This round-up lists in-person and virtual events happening tomorrow across the U.S. and Canada — from memorial walks, survivor panels and sacred fires to powwows, film screenings and educational exhibits. Many gatherings provide orange shirts, food and resources; some require registration or have limited capacity. Check event pages for details and accessibility information.
Orange Shirt Day 2026: Where to Commemorate on Sept. 30 — Walks, Panels, Powwows and Virtual Events
Orange Shirt Day 2026: Events and Gatherings
Each year on Sept. 30, communities across Tribal Nations in North America observe Orange Shirt Day to honor and remember Native children who were taken from their families and placed in Indian boarding and residential schools. Below is a cleaned, organized round-up of events taking place tomorrow — in person and online — for reflection, education and community healing.
Events Tomorrow (Sept. 30, 2026)
Tucson, AZ — University of Arizona Campus Store
When & where: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; 1209 E. University Blvd.
Memorial walk, lunch and guest speakers. Walk check-in opens at 8 a.m.
Phoenix, AZ — Heard Museum & Steele Indian School Park
When & where: 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Survivor panel, lunch and guided tour of the former school grounds. Paid registration required.
Folsom, CA — Campus Quad
When & where: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Pacific
Reflection and resources on the history and impacts of U.S. and Canadian boarding school systems.
Barstow, CA — B Building Amphitheater
When & where: 12:30–1:30 p.m.; 2700 Barstow Road
Educational presentation and a display of children's shoes.
Rohnert Park, CA — Wine Spectator Learning Center
When & where: 5–7 p.m.
Screening of a boarding schools episode of People of the West, followed by discussion and an optional garden walk. Free; registration requested.
Virtual — Northern California Native American Medical Students
When & where: Noon–1:30 p.m. Pacific (livestream)
Livestreamed presentation by Native medical students. Stream information is available on the event page.
Old Town — Indian Island Pavilion
When & where: 5–6:30 p.m.
All ages welcome; limited orange shirts available for attendees.
Amherst, MA — Goodell Hall, Room 309
When & where: 6–8 p.m. Eastern
Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz speaks on residential schools. Activities include orange-shirt pin-making, food and shirts while supplies last. RSVP appreciated.
Ann Arbor, MI — Jeffries Hall 0220
When & where: 11:50 a.m.–1 p.m.
Food, community and a discussion of Orange Shirt Day history. Open to all; RSVP on the event page.
Hessel, MI — 3206 W. Cedar St.
When & where: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Family-friendly observance honoring boarding school survivors and children who did not return home.
Sault Ste. Marie, ON — Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building
When & where: 5–7 p.m.; 11 Ice Circle
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; orange shirts provided to attendees.
Marquette, MI — Grandview Apartments (former Holy Family Orphanage)
When & where: 6 p.m. meeting, 6:15 p.m. walk; 600 Altamont St.
Walk to the Seven Grandfathers sculpture. Shuttle available for those who need it.
Minneapolis, MN — Powderhorn Park
When & where: Public Vigil: 6 p.m. (doors 5:30 p.m.) — Walk and remarks honoring Indian boarding school survivors and children who never returned home.
Documentary & Discussion: 12:30–3 p.m. — Screening and discussion; registration is full with a waitlist available.
St. Francis Area, MN — Rum River North County Park
When & where: 6 p.m.
Open community event with discussion of boarding school history and personal connections.
Mankato, MN — Centennial Student Union Fountain
When & where: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Informational display about Orange Shirt Day.
Missoula, MT — Payne Family Native American Center Rotunda
When & where: 7:30 a.m.
Remembrance followed by a campus walk with signs about boarding school history and impacts.
Hamilton, ON — Center for Women's Studies Lounge
When & where: 5–7:15 p.m.
Film screening, dinner and a Q&A with the director and documentary participants via Zoom; open to the public.
Norfolk, VA — Kaufman Mall
When & where: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Hosted by the Higher Education Student Association: educational resources, reflection and conversation.
Seattle, WA — South Seattle College (and livestream)
When & where: Noon–2 p.m. Pacific
Speakers, presentations, food and traditional medicines; livestream link available on the event page.
Calgary, AB — Peace Bridge to Contemporary Calgary
When & where: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tenth annual commemorative walk and gathering.
Calgary, AB — Evening Events
When & where: Market 11 a.m.; showcase 5 p.m.; evening program 7 p.m.
Free tickets offered; entry without a ticket subject to capacity.
Vancouver, BC — UBC Vancouver (Main Mall)
When & where: 11:45 a.m.–3 p.m.; meet at 1956 Main Mall
March with Indigenous speakers and drumming. A sacred fire will burn separately from 7 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Winnipeg, MB — The Forks / Canada Life Centre
When & where: Opening 9:30 a.m. at The Forks; grand entry 1 p.m. at Canada Life Centre
Sixth annual healing walk and powwow.
Winnipeg, MB — Various Gatherings
When & where: The Healing Forest, St. John's Park (9–11 a.m.); The Leaf (9 a.m.–4 p.m. sacred fire); 190 Rupert Ave. (All-day programming Sep 30–Oct 2); 1961 McCreary Road (9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Truth and reconciliation gatherings, sacred fire observances and multi-day programming — free admission at many sites.
Gimli, MB — Gimli Park Pavilion
When & where: 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Community gathering.
Keeshkeemaquah Reserve — Walk From City Hall
When & where: Walk 9 a.m. from City Hall; gathering 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Walk followed by a community gathering on the reserve.
Toronto, ON — 519 Church St.
When & where: 3–7 p.m.
Sacred fire, storytelling, conversation with survivor Karen Chaboyer, food and children's art. Register on the event page.
Sudbury, ON — Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre
When & where: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sacred fire, speakers and learning sessions.
Oshawa, ON — Campus
When & where: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Drumming, dancing, teachings and vendors.
Hamilton/West Harbour — James St. Plaza
When & where: Sunrise ceremony 7 a.m.; gathering 10 a.m.–noon
Free public ceremony with speakers, drumming and poetry.
Toronto, ON — Various Campus Locations
When & where: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sacred fire and sunrise ceremonies followed by commemorative programming. Community welcome.
Stratford, ON — City Hall Auditorium
When & where: From 9 a.m.
Screenings of three National Film Board films followed by discussion.
Avon River Area — Falstaff Family Centre
When & where: Ceremony 7:30 a.m.; walk 6 p.m.
Indigenous teachings in the morning and an evening walk along the river.
Saskatoon, SK — SaskTel Centre & Victoria Park
When & where: Grand entries noon and 6 p.m. at SaskTel Centre (two-day powwow); Run/Walk 8–10 a.m. at Victoria Park honoring survivors and those who did not survive.
Regina, SK — mâmawêyatitân Centre & Victoria Park
When & where: Pipe ceremony 8:30 a.m.; program 10 a.m. at mâmawêyatitân centre; Orange Shirt Day walk 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Victoria Park hosted by The Circle Project and partners.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, SK
When & where: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Annual gathering at the heritage park.
Online — Advocacy Resource Center & Episcopal Diocese of Maine
When & where: All day (Advocacy Resource Center Facebook): Wear orange and share a photo in the comments.
7:30–9 p.m. Eastern (Episcopal Diocese of Maine): Online presentation and discussion on truth-telling and repair.
Note: Many events offer orange shirts, food and resources; several require registration or have limited capacity. Check the individual event pages for registration details, accessibility and livestream links.
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