Here's how you can commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day across B.C.

National Truth and Reconciliation Day is being recognized as a statutory holiday in B.C. for the first time this year.

Also known as Orange Shirt Day, the day of recognition is based on a grassroots campaign founded by Phyllis Webstad, whoseorange shirt was taken from her on her first day at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School near Williams Lake.

Sept. 30 is a dayto honour residential school survivors,acknowledge the damage caused by the residential school system, open up the dialogue about reconciliationand to celebrate Indigenous culture.

However, as a relatively new national holiday, how to recognizeSept. 30 is still up for discussion, according to Ginger Gosnell-Myers, a decolonization and urban Indigenous planning fellow at Simon Fraser University.

For Indigenous people,who are still dealing with the legacy of residential schools, Gosnell-Myers said National Truth and Reconciliation Daycould be a day for healing, connecting to cultureand honouring loved ones who didn't make it back home.

"[We need] to ensure that we do get this day right, that we are hearing from Indigenous Peoples what Indigenous Peoples need," she told JodieMartinson, guest host ofCBC'sThe Early Edition.

For those who aren't Indigenous, Gosnell-Myers says the day could be spent learning about Indigenous cultures and histories.

"We still have a lot of negative stereotypes against IndigenousPeoples in this country, we still have a lot of discrimination, so the day is needed," she said.

Many schools, businesses, and services will be closed on Monday because the statutory holiday falls on a Saturday this year.

What is opened and closed for Truth and Reconciliation Day

• Canada Post will be closed on Monday, Oct. 2 with no collection or delivery of mail on that day.
• Public schools from K-12across the province will be closed on Monday in observance of Truth and Reconciliation Day.
• Banks are closed on Monday.
• B.C. Transit will be operating on its regular service on the Saturday and Monday.
• TransLink buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus will operate on its usual schedule over the weekend. The West Coast Express will not operate on Saturday orMonday.

Here are some of the events you can attend across the province to mark the day.

Metro Vancouver

An Orange Shirt Day walkin East Vancouver will begin at the Aboriginal Community Policing Centreon Franklin Street around 9 a.m. on Saturday and will proceed to Grandview Park. There, a ceremony and celebration will take place until 2 p.m., featuring a drum circle, crafting, culture-sharing and food.

A free art workshopis being held by All My Relations, an Indigenous podcast team,at Place des Arts in Coquitlam from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free, butregistering online in advance is recommended.

The Semiahmoo First Nation is hosting their annualwalk for Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday. It begins at the Robert Charles Plaza at Semiahmoo Park in White Rock at 11a.m. The event includes a walk, performances, food, children's activities, and Indigenous vendors.

Whistler

In Whistler, people can visit the SquamishLil'wat Cultural Centre on Saturday for a full day ofprogramming, including speakers and cultural activities, like immersive crafts and carving demonstration. Admission is free for the day.

Vancouver Island

A powwow held by the Songhees First Nation in Victoria on Saturday willcelebrate Indigenous culture.Starting at 10 a.m., the event will feature traditional song and dance, local vendors, and bannock.

The TseshahtFirst Nation in Port Alberniwill commemorate both Orange Shirt Day andthe 50thanniversary of the closing of the Alberni Indian Residential School in a Saturday celebration. It starts with a walk from the Barclay Hotel at 11 a.m. and ends at the Maht Mahs Gym with food, crafts and cultural activities.

Northern B.C.

In Prince George, theLheidli T'enneh First Nation and UHNBC traditional drummers are hosting a "walk and talk"at the Canada Games Plaza. It will open with a prayer at 10 a.m. followed by speakers, music and cultural performances.

Ongoing events will take place at the Williams Lake Stampede grounds between Sept. 27 and Sept. 30. Activities includewagon rides,sacred fire, food trucks, vendors, craftsand more. There will be a free pancake breakfast on Saturday morning for the first 800 guests.

Interior

The SyilxOkanaganNation in Penticton is holding a two-kilometrewalk for reconciliation, departing the Safeway Parking lot at 10a.m. and ending at the SIRS Monument outside the Penticton hatchery onEn'owkin Trail.

Thompson Rivers University andTk'emlps te Secwpemc are holding an event open to all students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Hall on Friday, the event will feature speakers and a drum circle.