National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Paid Parking: is required at Heritage Park, with the first 90 minutes free.

• The Park Plus zone number is 8320.
• Members receive parking as part of their Membership.
• Learn More About Parking Here

Once guests have arrived to the Park, they can go to the front gates of the Historical Village. If you bought tickets online, have your Showpass ticket at the ready. If you did not purchase tickets in advance, you can do so at the front gates. Anyone who self-identifies as Indigenous, or is an Annual Member or Heritage Club VIP, will get free admission to the event. Once you have checked-in with the gate staff, make your way up the promenade to Celebration Field and the Celebration Tent where the event will take place. A shuttle bus will also be available for guests with limited mobility, to shuttle them to Celebration Field. 

There are plenty of ways to get to the Park, whether that be on foot, via transit, or driving. Click here to find the way that works for you!

An accessible shuttle bus will be available to shuttle guests with limited mobility to and from the front gates of the Park to Celebration Field, where the event is taking place.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will continue and will be adapted with all outdoor programming being moved from Celebration Field to Celebration Tent.

With deep ties to the community, Elder Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (Miiksika’am) will take part in programming throughout the day, including the Flag Lowering Ceremony.

Special Guests

• Elder: Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (Miiksika’am)
• Emcee: Tyra Metchewais-Wells
• Drummer: Cole Healy
• Ervina Black Kettle
• Jessica Starlight
• Shay Williams

Special Guests

• Darrin Blain – A lawyer with over 25 years of experience representing First Nations people and is a member of the Law Societies of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Special Guests

• Master of Ceremonies: Tyra Metchewais-Wells
• Carrie Kent – A dedicated advocate for Indigenous education and community empowerment. Her work focuses on fostering understanding, amplifying Indigenous voices, and building meaningful connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
• Aimee Dixon-Cutknife – A proud First Nations educator, consultant, and motivational speaker. She currently serves as Principal of Nakoda Elementary School in Mînî Thnî, Alberta. With a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, Aimee brings both academic training and lived experience to her leadership — grounded in trauma-informed practice, cultural revitalization, and reconciliation.

Special Guests

• Jaron Weasel Bear from Piikani Nation
• Kegan Smith from YMCA
• Michael Onespot
• Russ Baker
• Jason Plain Eagle
• Lucille Wright
• Mary Ellen Little Mustache
• Peter Daniels
• Richard Horn

Special Guest

• Calgary Police Service

Led by Indigenous Dance Consultants

• Drummers:
  • Cole Healy
  • Arnold Mountain Horse
  • Kodie Mountain Horse
  • Quaide Mountain Horse
  • Danzel Ear
• Indigenous Dance Consultants:
  • Dayme Big Crow
  • Lonnie Dixon
  • Ervina Black Kettle
  • Jessica Starlight
  • Philemon Little Shields
  • Shay Williams

Special Guests

• Residential School Survivor Rev. John Snow — sharing lived experiences and perspectives on faith, survival, and resilience.
• Laurie MacKay, St. Andrew’s Church — representing the evolving role of faith communities in truth-telling and reconciliation.

Emcees

• Tyra Metchewais-Wells
• Lonnie Dixon

Storytellers

• Emiika Crowshoe (Piikani Nation): A young storyteller and musician performing with her band Trouble in the Mind. Emiika shares a unique perspective on balancing tradition and contemporary life.
• Straight Up Feather (Lonnie Dixon): An Indigenous hip-hop artist blending traditional storytelling with conscious lyricism and modern beats, using music to inspire and empower youth.
• Ervina Black Kettle (Siksika Nation): A long-time Heritage Park interpreter and powwow dancer, Ervina shares stories of resilience passed down from her mother and grandmother, both residential school survivors.
• Jessica Starlight (Tsuut’ina Nation): A powwow dancer and artist, Jessica incorporates resilience and healing into her regalia designs and dance.