From “Next Steps on the Reconciliation Path” working group, here is a curated list of Reconciliation events happening in September & October 2025:
Indigenous Youth Essay Contest
- Contest is open to Indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit) youth living within the Central Okanagan region.
- Essay length is dependent on age category: High school students are required to write between 500-750 words. Post-Secondary students are required to write between 750-1000 words.
- The contest closes September 12th at 4pm [NO exceptions]
- All entries will be sent to Kailyn.y@kfs.bc.ca
- The winner will be announced September 30th during KFS’s Truth and Reconciliation event.
- For more information click here or contact Kailyn.Y@kfs.bc.ca
- Hosted by Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society.
Heartbeats of the Heart and Spirit- September 13
- Saturday, September 13 – 2:30 to 4:30 pm. Doors open at 2:00 pm.
- 1430 Sutherland Avent (Salvation Army Okanagan Central Community Church)
- Many of us have received the gift of the drumming and singing of the Women of Turtle Island drumming group. This is their annual fundraising event.
- There will be a toonie auction, drumming, bannock, cello performance by Kethra and Keira Stewart and beadwork for sale.
- Donations at the door.
National Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day – Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society – Tuesday, September 30
- Tuesday, September 30 – 10:00 to 1:00 pm
- The address for the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is 442 Leon Ave, Kelowna.
- Wear orange shirts if you have them.
- Gather at the Friendship Society Centre (442 Leon Avenue) to join the march at 10:00 am
- Let’s create a wave of orange as we march through the downtown.
- After the speakers and march, return to the Friendship Centre for bannock and soup.
- Questions? Contact Kailyn.Y@kfs.bc.ca
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sncewips Heritage Museum – September 30
- The museum will be open its regular hours. Come and meet the staff. and learn the history of the first peoples of this territory.
- Hours of the museum are 10 to 4.
- The address for the museum is 525 BC-97 Unit 260, West Kelowna,
Truth and Reconciliation – Okanagan Heritage Museum – September 30
- They will be hosting self-directed learning centres. Check out their website later this month. Hours for the learning centres will be 1 to 4.
- Their address is 470 Queensway, Kelowna
- Also check out their nsyilxcen language and nakulamen (what we do): syilx Traditional Plant Use Walking Tour by clicking here
Orange Shirt Day – Metis Community Services Society of BC – September 30
- September 30 – Drop in from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
- A day of honoring and ceremony remembering the children who were taken from their families to residential schools. For more information, click here.
- Activities for all ages.
- Ceremonies to be held at Mamawapowin Centre – 1580 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna
Sisters in Spirit – Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society – Monday, October 6
- Monday, October 6 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
- Bring your drums and wear red
- The address for the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is 442 Leon Ave, Kelowna.
- Gather at the Friendship Society Centre to join the march at 4:00 pm
- After the speakers and march, return to the Friendship Centre for bannock and soup.
- Questions? Contact Kailyn.Y@kfs.bc.ca
Elements of Truth: Before Reconciliation Workshop series
- An online and interactive Indigenous-led learning experience for settler Canadians seeking a welcoming space to cultivate the courage and confidence to take action toward reconciliation.
- Four sessions online: Thursdays: October 9, October 23, November 6 and November 20.
- For more information and to register click here.
- Hosted by Kinshift
History, despite its wrenching pain / Cannot be unlived, but if faced / With courage, need not be lived again. – Maya Angelou, “On the Pulse of Morning”
‘Next Steps for on the Reconciliation Path’ working group: We acknowledge that our working group is operating on the traditional and unceded territories of the Syilx Nation. We are grateful for their stewardship of the land over the centuries and welcome the opportunity to continue to move forward on reconciling and restoring our relationship with them.
