October 2026 Blog
Developing and Ongoing Commitment to Reconciliation Through Story and Conversation
The ember months have a way of bringing us into a reflective state. Summer activities naturally wind down, the days get shorter, we may even spend more time at home with our loved ones as we instinctively seek the comfort of warmth when the cold temperatures take over.
At Stardale, we are harnessing this opportunity to reflect on our September events, our National Truth and Reconciliation Day event, and our belief that truth and reconciliation should be advocated for all year round, not just on September 30th.
Stories That Bring Us Together
During the September 17th event in collaboration with the Calgary Justice Film Festival, the young ladies of Stardale had a moment to speak on the ongoing and blatant realities of racism and microaggressions by referencing real life examples of Indigenous women and even closer to home, addressing a member of the audience who was rude, talking out of turn and inebriated at that event, something Stadale has never experienced at an event before.
When addressing the audience to offer her definition of reconciliation, a Stardale student confidently remarked:
“Reconciliation is about listening to and respecting Indigenous peoples. Respect is us coming together to work towards peace. Listening to our stories when we tell them. About residential schools, the ongoing intergenerational trauma and the accountability that should be taken by the Canadian government and community.”
Real-life examples like this and the opportunity to hear from Indigenous women and girls themselves is the reason we must commit to Truth and Reconciliation all year round. The 94 Calls to Action issued in 2015 by the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission are not just random suggestions, but real calls upon the government and community members regarding necessary policy changes in the areas of child welfare, health, language and culture, justice, history, and reconciliation.
Building Possibility
On September 27th, the Recovery Church Calgary collaborated with the Stardale Women’s Group for an evening of culture, truth and reconciliation in a special edition of the Celebrate Life Recovery gathering. The evening featured drumming by the young ladies of Stardale, an offering of prayer by Elder Wanda First Rider as well as music by the Church’s amazing worship band, The Cracked Pots. Stardale was received by the church and its members with humility and a listening ear to the stories shared. It was a beautiful experience to witness and celebrate the growth of recovering community members and be a part of conversations centering addiction and the path to healing in Indigenous communities.
Thank you to the Recovery Church and especially to Peter Sheridan for having us!
Listening, Learning & Walking Forward Together
September 30th was National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Stardale in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Calgary hosted an event at the Dalhousie Community Association.
We gathered to listen to the powerful and healing sound of song and drumming by the young ladies of Stardale and watch The Road, an awarrd-winning Stardale film. Afterwards, there was a Q&A segment where the audience asked questions about how to move forward towards reconciliation as a community , and there were productive discussions regarding policy changes that need to be made in Canadian government and society.
Thank you to The Rotary Club of Calgary, our collaborators and to the Dalhousie Community Association for giving us a space to share and connect with one another on such an important day. Reconciliation is an all year round commitment and the truth about residential schools, its history and the lasting trauma it left Indigenous communities with needs to always be upheld.while celebrating the beautiful cultures, traditions and ways of knowing of Indigenous communities.
So as October rolls in,and activities get quieter, how can we reflect on and act as a community towards Truth and Reconciliation? From attending more Indigenous-led events with humility and a listening ear, to using your social positioning to advocate for Indigenous communities and speaking up even when Indigenous people are not in the room, there is more work to be done. We all have individual struggles in community however, we must look for ways to harness the opportunity to work together, not against each other through respectful community gatherings and dialogue.
Want to support the young women of Stardale Women’s Group and the organization's efforts? Explore how you can Open a Door, Make the Next Gathering Possible, or Support the Work.
Upcoming Stardale Events
Rural based violence in Indigenous communities is exacerbated by isolation, lack of education, and lack of resources in these communities. Addressing interpersonal and structural violence in rural communities requires a more detailed approach that emphasizes healing and restorative justice rather than leaning heavily on existing legal systems.
On October 15th, join us for an evening of film, storytelling and cultural teaching exploring violence, including rural based violence residential schools and intergenerational trauma. View event details here
Important Dates Observed by Indigenous Peoples in October
October 4th - National Day of Action for MMIWG2S
October 1- 31 - Mi’kmaw History Month