Today in Canada, we observe the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Earlier this year, the Canadian government made this a statutory holiday for all federal employees. Although I wasn’t able to find what year the last was created, it is only the sixth national statutory holiday, putting it on the same footing as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Remembrance Day, indicating the importance the subject is being given. The day is intended to remember the estimated 150000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who were taken from their families to be “educated” at over 140 residential schools across the country from 1831 to 1996, the thousands that never came home, and the lasting effects this “policy” has had on survivors, their families, their communities, and indeed their nations. The date also coincides with Orange Shirt day, which was started by Indigenous-led grassroots groups in 2013. One of the goals of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is to take time to pause and learn more about what really happened to Canada’s indigenous peoples. So instead of reading my words today, won’t you please visit https://www.orangeshirtday.org/ to learn more. I think you will find this is very different from what we were taught in school. The more we learn, although it may make us uneasy and shameful, hopefully, will also lead us to more respect for Canada’s indigenous peoples. If you want to learn more about Canada’s indigenous peoples, the website of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs has built a “Learning Journey” for you: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1621447127773/1621447157184
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AuthorMy name is Claire Bureau. Archives
March 2023
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