National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Wear Orange
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, RDP will be closed on September 30. We encourage all faculty, staff and students to wear orange on Monday, September 29 in honour of residential school Survivors, their families and the children who never came home.
Truth and Reconciliation at RDP - Schedule
Flag Raising
- September 29
- 9 to 9:30 a.m.
- Main campus, flag poles
TRC Day Presentations with Speaker Jerry Saddleback
- September 29, 2025
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Mainstage, Arts Centre
Soup and Bannock Lunch
- September 29, 2025
- 12 to 1 p.m.
- Arts Centre Foyer
This event is open to all RDP staff, students and faculty.
About the Speaker
Jerry Saddleback
Okimaw Nipawo which translates to Standing Chief is the Nehiyawahk name of Jerry Saddleback Jr., Jerry is Plains Cree from Samson Cree Nation (Nipisihkopahk) located in Treaty No. 6 Territory with Maternal roots connecting him to Louis Bull Tribe (Kisipatinahk).
Jerry is family orientated and married with three beautiful children and he is a lifelong learner of the Plains Cree Culture & Traditions. With his education background in Indigenous Social Work, he is well versed in the areas of Wellness & Addictions as a past certified addictions counsellor, Indigenous Knowledge & history and has several years of experience in Program development, Creation and implementation for organizations in CFS, First Nations, Wellness and other training institutions. Jerry has done work for Treaty with the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations as a Policy Analyst, CFS Lead and Grand Chief Liaison, he was also a past serving member of Council for Samson Cree Nation.
Saddleback has several years’ experience working with Governance & Boards as a board member and as a facilitator for team building & strategic planning workshops.
For over 20 years Saddleback has also committed his time to volunteerism, coaching, and mentorship. Jerry is also an independent Indigenous Entrepreneur providing multiple avenues of knowledge, stories, teachings, practices, music and dance within his engagements.