West Edmonton Mall hosts National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration
West Edmonton Mall hosts Indigenous-led National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration. The event featured an artisan market showcasing Indigenous works, traditional performances, and storytelling from respected Elders.
Decorative greenery showcasing a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation wreath.
A number of Edmontonians gathered at West Edmonton Mall on Sept. 30 for a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemoration, where Indigenous Elders, artists, and performers shared stories and traditions to honour survivors and educate the public.
The event featured powwow and hoop dancing, storytelling, and an artisan market.
Elder Heather Poitras, a residential school survivor and artist, says that her beading and storytelling “[let’s] the world know we are still here… for all those that didn’t make it, the gift of life I have today, the responsibility as an educator, as an elder, a knowledge keeper, a healer is to share.”
As a survivor, Elder Poitras lives by an Indigenous teaching of healing which calls for transforming intergenerational trauma into intergenerational healing.
She said, “It’s the medicine you give, and the medicine you take up.”
Elder Poitras shared the story of a moose-skin cape she created, incorporating traditional Métis elements and Northern Dene beadwork. She wears it during ceremonies and speaking events.
She explained, “It’s comforting, it’s almost like a hug, especially when you’re talking about heavy issues, to have that hug, it feels good.”
The event opened with storytelling by respected Elders, Martha and Heather Poitras, who shared personal histories and cultural knowledge. Through spoken word and prayer, they offered insight into the intergenerational impact of residential schools and the resilience of survivors and communities.
Jade Tootoosis-Janvier performed the Woman’s Jingle Dress Dance.
“The dance represents healing, not only for illness, but for the soul,” she said.
The artisan market showcased handcrafted Indigenous works: beadwork, textiles, carvings, art, and clothing, celebrating Indigenous craftsmanship and supporting local businesses.
Elder Poitras shared that she has passed her beading legacy through generations, first to her daughters, and now to her granddaughter.
“For me, it’s about that legacy,” she says. “It’s not just about you as an individual; it’s about what you’re leaving behind for others to learn from.”
Event organizer Barrett Klesko emphasized the importance of using public spaces like West Edmonton Mall to engage the community in acts of reconciliation.
The gathering drew visitors from across the city to witness performances and connect directly with artists. For many, it was an opportunity for education, reflection, and cultural preservation.
Through storytelling, dance, and art, the commemoration acknowledged the past while offering a hopeful step toward truth, respect, and remembrance.
Elder Poireas said, “Despite all the impositions, despite everything they’ve taken away from us…I remember one elder saying ‘the one thing they couldn’t take away from us was what they couldn’t see,’ and that was our spirituality.”
