CUPS’ Journey of Truth and Reconciliation
Over the past year, CUPS has taken meaningful steps in our ongoing journey towards Truth and Reconciliation, guided by staff input and CUPS’ commitment to providing effective, inclusive and welcoming services to clients. Through the hiring of our Indigenous Cultural and Community Partnerships Specialist and the development of strategic initiative, our staff have been focusing on creating a culturally safe space and building internal capacity for the continuous journey of Two-Eyed Seeing within our work. Two-Eyed Seeing at CUPS refers to learning to see from one eye with the strength of indigenous ways of knowing and from the other eye with the strengths of western ways of knowing and to use both eyes together.
Our journey this year has focused on moving from awareness, to education, to engagement and action. We have engaged directly with community by attending events held by Indigenous led organizations and partner agencies that are further in their journey who host Indigenous Cultural events.
Internally, we have focused on the journey from awareness to knowledge through Education Weeks curated around key learnings for each week of Indigenous History month. This then led us to the roll out the CUPS wide Certification Training through Indigenous Awareness 201. We have also built an Indigenous Relations Information Hub on our staff intranet to ensure all CUPS staff can experience a standard learning journey, along with professional development opportunities provided through Loretta Wellness Circle and The Confluence.
We are focused on creating cultural connection points through attending and amplifying partner events in the community and sharing a calendar of events with staff so they can connect with community outside of work. CUPS also utilized Moonstone Creation to create smudge kits, providing staff with an opportunity to learn about and engage in this cultural practice.
We know this journey is continuous and ever-changing. And we recognize that learning about the experiences and current impacts of colonialism can be very difficult, triggering, and emotional. Which is why CUPS is committed to listening, learning, and holding space for this work. Our strategic focus on creating a culturally safe and welcoming agency for staff and clients, continuing to refine the specific and impactful role CUPS can and will play in Reconciliation, and amplifying the messages and voices pressing forward for change will continue. We will remain committed to this journey and to reporting our progress back to the community each year.
The Good Canadian Documentary
As part of our learning leading up to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CUPS staff came together on September 21st alongside our community partners at Enviros to watch an extremely impactful documentary called, “The Good Canadian” about the truth behind the current injustice Indigenous people face within the medical, governance, and social sectors.
The film created an opportunity for staff to reflect on the systemic barriers and inequities that continue to affect Indigenous people and took time for discussion and to explore the ways CUPS can work to change the systems we are rooted in and create meaningful changes we want to see throughout our communities.
We encourage you to watch this important film and take some time to reflect on the steps we can each take towards Truth and Reconciliation:
The Good Canadian | Movies | CBC Gem
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to dig into the truth, reflect, learn, and take meaningful steps on the journey of reconciliation, one we must walk together with respect, accountability, and commitment to continued learning. On September 30, CUPS will be closed to give staff and community members space to honor this important day of truth-telling and remembrance.
We encourage everyone to mark the day in a way that is meaningful to you, whether by attending events, deepening your learning, listening to Indigenous voices, or taking time for personal reflection. Across Calgary, there are many opportunities to gather, listen, and learn in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation calls on all of us not only to remember, but to participate in the continuous work of change. At CUPS, we recognize that reconciliation is carried through relationships in how we show up, listen, and continue to learn. We invite our community to come together, witness, and reflect on the intentional and meaningful actions each of us can take to support Indigenous communities on this important day.
Here are some of the events happening this year:
Bison Days at The Confluence
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. S.E.)
Saturday, September 26 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Bison Days Symposium
Saturday, September 26 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Traditional Teachings Workshops
Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Circle Camp & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Wednesday, September 30
Buffalo Treaty: Keystone to Wellness
June 30 – December 6, 2026
Bison Survival Story Robe by Adrian Stimson
July 1 – December 11, 2026
More details: Here.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation at TELUS Spark
TELUS Spark Science Centre (220 St Georges Dr NE)
Sunday, September 27, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
More details: Here.
Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence (Hosted by the City of Calgary)
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. S.E.)
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
More details: Here.
Truth & Reconciliation Events, Workshops, and Art Exhibitions at the Pokaiks Reconciliation Society
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Reconciliation Walk: at 11:00 a.m. (311 8 St SW next to the 10th Street Bridge) to Contemporary Calgary.
Events After Walk: at 12:00 p.m. (Contemporary Calgary 701 11 St. SW)
Artists/Artisans, Community Groups, Family Fun, Dome Theatre, Performances, Tipi Teachings, Indigenous Games and Elders Niche
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Closing Ceremonies
More details: Here.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at The Confluence
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. S.E.)
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
More details: Here.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation at Werklund Centre
Jack Singer Concert Hall (225 8 Ave SE)
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
More details: Here.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation at Heritage Park
Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr SW)
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
More details: Here.
Alberta Culture Days: In Conversation with Maria Campbell at Calgary Public Library
Central Library – Level 1 – 1-03 Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall (800 3 St. SE)
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
More details: Here.