North Vancouver Hosts Reconciliation Events This September

Communities across North Vancouver are coming together this September with events that honor Indigenous survivors while inviting everyone to learn, listen, and take action toward reconciliation.

September 30 marks Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to remember residential school survivors and the children who never came home. What started as a federal holiday in 2021 has sparked a movement of community-led education and healing across British Columbia.

North Vancouver and West Vancouver are stepping up with offerings that go far beyond a single day. The Ferry Building Gallery is hosting beginner-friendly wool weaving workshops led by Anjeanette Dawson of the Squamish Nation, where participants will learn traditional loom techniques while crafting their own pieces. The two-session course teaches both the craft and the cultural revival behind it.

Libraries across both cities have packed their September calendars with powerful programming. West Vancouver Memorial Library is screening Nechako, a documentary following Indigenous nations in their decade-long legal battle with the federal government and Rio Tinto Alcan. They're also hosting reading circles, virtual newcomer sessions, and a kids' afternoon with Squamish author Lisa Lewis teaching traditional songs and crafts.

The Museum of North Vancouver is offering pay-what-you-can admission for its September 26 screening of Dancing Around the Table, a film documenting Indigenous leaders fighting for inherent rights in the 1980s. On September 30, the museum opens its doors for hands-on activities, guided tours, and games led by Indigenous cultural programmers Jordan Dawson and Tsawaysia Spukwus.

The Ripple Effect

These events represent more than education. They're building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through shared experiences and honest conversations. When people weave together, watch films together, and discuss hard truths together, understanding grows organically.

The North Vancouver RCMP detachment is hosting a gathering at their Strength and Remembrance Pole on September 29, creating space for community members to honor survivors. The Polygon Gallery is screening National Film Board documentaries about Indigenous experiences throughout the day on September 30, offering free access to stories that need to be heard.

Squamish journalist Kwetásel'wet Stephanie Wood and Elder Paítsmuḵ David Jacobs will discuss their award-winning book detailing snapshots of Squamish Nation history on September 23. The North Vancouver District Library is partnering with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society for virtual field trips exploring intergenerational impacts and paths toward healing.

Every event on the calendar represents someone choosing to create space for truth, learning, and connection. Together, they're showing what reconciliation looks like when communities commit to action beyond words.