Truth and Reconciliation

The City of Red Deer acknowledges the Indigenous Communities governed by Treaty No. 6 and Treaty No. 7 and District 3 of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government as the Land we are situated on. The commitment of The City of Red Deer is to work alongside Indigenous Peoples in building a welcoming and inclusive community.
City-Hall-Park-flags-photo credit: rdnewsNOW staff

photo credit: rdnewsNOW staff

Central Alberta is a significant historical landscape within the ancestral territories of Cree, Blackfoot and Métis Peoples. For generations, this area has been a place to gather, trade, hold ceremony, build relationships and travel throughout the region.

Red Deer’s reconciliation journey

Truth and reconciliation begin with understanding our shared history and acknowledging the harms and ongoing impacts of colonial policies and practices, including the residential school system.

Reconciliation also looks forward. It involves listening, learning, building and maintaining respectful relationships and taking meaningful action together.

The City of Red Deer honours the histories, cultures, knowledge and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and recognizes that reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility. Our commitment is to continue learning, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and considering how reconciliation can be reflected in the work we do as a municipal government.

Reconciliation takes time and requires humility, accountability and action. Acknowledging the land on which we live and understanding the truth of our shared history are important parts of that journey.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created to document the history and lasting impacts of Canada's residential school system and to provide Survivors, their families and communities opportunities to share their experiences.

The TRC heard from Survivors and others affected by residential schools and produced a comprehensive record of the residential school system and its legacy. In 2015, the Commission released 94 Calls to Action intended to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation in Canada.

The Calls to Action involve governments, organizations, institutions and individuals. Municipal governments are specifically included in several Calls to Action, reinforcing that municipalities also have a role in advancing reconciliation.

Learn more:

Red Deer Indian Industrial School

The history of residential schools is also part of Red Deer’s history.

The Red Deer Indian Industrial School operated as a residential school from 1893 to 1919, west of Red Deer across the river from Fort Normandeau. Children were separated from their families and communities to attend the school, and children died while they were there. 

The name Red Deer Indian Industrial School is used when referring to the institution at the request of the Remembering the Children Society, to accurately record the name given to the school and identify the children affected by it.

Learning about the school, remembering the children who attended and understanding the continuing impacts of the residential school system are important parts of reconciliation in our community.

Learn about the Red Deer Indian Industrial School, including historical information, archival records and additional resources.

Protocol Agreement

On June 21, 2017, Red Deer City Council and the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society signed a Protocol Agreement during a ceremony in Council Chambers.

The agreement reflects a commitment to relationship-building between The City and Red Deer’s urban Indigenous community.

Red Deer City Council and Urban Aboriginal Voices Society Protocol Agreement (pdf)

Note: the historical name of the organization is retained when referring to the agreement. The organization is now known as the Urban Indigenous Voices Society.

Learn, participate and take action

Reconciliation is ongoing and everyone can play a role. Learning is an important starting point, but reconciliation also involves listening, building relationships and considering how what we learn can influence our actions.

Some ways to continue your reconciliation journey include:

  • Learn about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools.
  • Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
  • Learn about the Treaties and Indigenous histories connected to the land where you live.
  • Listen to and learn from First Nations, Métis and Inuit voices.
  • Attend Indigenous-led cultural, educational and commemorative activities when you are invited to participate.
  • Learn about Indigenous cultures, languages, traditions and contemporary experiences.
  • Support Indigenous artists, businesses and organizations.
  • Consider what reconciliation can mean in your workplace, relationships and community.
  • Look for opportunities to turn learning into meaningful action.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation describes ReconciliACTION as moving from awareness and learning toward meaningful action. Its resources can help individuals and organizations consider how they can contribute to reconciliation.

Local Indigenous organizations

Local Indigenous organizations

Connect with and learn more from Indigenous organizations serving Red Deer and central Alberta:

Dates of recognition, remembrance and learning

Dates of recognition, remembrance and learning

There are opportunities throughout the year to learn, participate and recognize Indigenous histories, cultures and experiences.

  • May 5 – Red Dress Day: honours missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and raises awareness of the ongoing crisis of violence.
  • May - Moose Hide Campaign Day: an Indigenous-led movement encouraging people to take a stand against gender-based violence.
  • June – National Indigenous History Month: an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
  • June 11 – Remembering the Children Day: locally recognizes and honours the children of the Red Deer Indian Industrial School and their descendants.
  • June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day: celebrates the histories, cultures, traditions and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
  • September – Orange Ribbon Project: invites Red Deerians to take part in an act of remembrance, reflection and solidarity as part of the journey toward Truth and Reconciliation.
  • September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day: honours Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home and their families and communities.
  • November – Métis Week: recognizes Métis history, culture and contributions and includes Louis Riel Day on November 16.

Local events, cultural celebrations, ceremonies, Pow Wows, community gatherings and learning opportunities may also be listed on the Red Deer Community Events Calendar.

Kitchen Table Conversations

Kitchen Table Conversations

As part of Red Deer’s reconciliation journey, The City produced a series of informal conversations with local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers.

These conversations provide an opportunity to listen and learn about cultural teachings, traditions and experiences from people in our community.

Learning resources

Not sure where to begin? These resources offer different ways to continue learning:

Residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation preserves the records and stories gathered by the TRC and provides education resources to help current and future generations understand the residential school system and its legacy.

Courses and learning opportunities

Explore local history

Support for Survivors and families

Information about residential schools can be difficult and may bring up painful experiences.

The National Residential School Crisis Line provides support to former residential school students and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1-866-925-4419.