The Orange Ribbon Project has returned to Red Deer, inviting residents to place an orange ribbon on a tree or plant at a site of personal significance as an expression of solidarity with the local Indigenous community and reflection on Canada’s and Red Deer’s residential school history.
What the project asks of Red Deer residents
Organizers are encouraging people to select a location that holds meaning for them and to tie an orange ribbon to a tree or plant there. A limited supply of free ribbons will be available through Oct. 2 at several public sites in the city.
- City Hall — 4914 48 Ave.
- Collicutt Centre — 3031 30 Ave.
- G. H. Dawe Community Centre — 6175 67 St.
- Intermediate School Recreation Centre — 5205 48 Ave.
- Recreation Centre — 4501 47A Ave.
Organizers say the campaign was developed with consideration for Indigenous traditions. Orange has been chosen because it is recognised as a symbol of the loss experienced by children separated from family by the residential school system.
"Orange is recognized as a symbol of the loss of childhood innocence and disconnection from family experienced by Indigenous people."
Respecting the living markers
Participants are asked to ensure ribbons do not harm plant life. That guidance reflects simple stewardship: when tying ribbons to living trunks or branches, residents should avoid constricting growth or leaving material that could damage bark or impede photosynthesis.
The practice of tying ribbons to trees has resonance in some Indigenous cultures as a form of memorial marking. In Red Deer, that cultural meaning has been adopted by the community initiative as a non-ceremonial, everyday gesture that people can take on their own, in places that matter to them.
Local meaning and practical details
For many Red Deer residents, the project offers a way to mark Truth and Reconciliation Week or to act during the broader national conversation about residential schools. The campaign provides a low-barrier, visible way for individuals, families and neighbourhood groups to express grief and solidarity without requiring formal attendance at events.
Those who want to participate can pick up a ribbon at one of the distribution points listed above while supplies last. The campaign reminds people to be mindful of plant health when placing ribbons and to choose sites that carry personal significance.
| Distribution point | Address |
|---|---|
| City Hall | 4914 48 Ave. |
| Collicutt Centre | 3031 30 Ave. |
| G. H. Dawe Community Centre | 6175 67 St. |
| Intermediate School Recreation Centre | 5205 48 Ave. |
| Recreation Centre | 4501 47A Ave. |
This year’s campaign emphasises both remembrance and cultural sensitivity. For residents who want to do more than leave a ribbon, local community groups and municipal programming often provide additional educational resources and events tied to Truth and Reconciliation; those looking for organized activities should check community calendars and municipal notices for updates.
The Orange Ribbon Project in Red Deer is meant to be an accessible, tangible act that signals care and awareness. For those who take part, it is a small but visible reminder of a painful chapter in Canadian history and of the ongoing work of reconciliation at the community level.
