Truth and Reconciliation Day: Many reflect about residential schools
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Ceremonies, marches and different gatherings are happening throughout the nation at this time as communities mark the Nationwide Day of Fact and Reconciliation.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined representatives of varied First Nations and dozens of individuals in orange for a dawn ceremony this morning in Niagara Falls, Ont.
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Trudeau stood silently because the ceremony occurred and later spoke with residential college survivors.
In Toronto, a gathering on the metropolis’s downtown Nathan Phillips Sq. noticed Indigenous songs carried out as onlookers, some carrying orange shirts, cheered.
A few of the different occasions scheduled at this time embrace the illumination of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in orange, programming about residential faculties on the Winnipeg Artwork Gallery and a neighborhood powwow on the Victoria-area Songhees Nation.
The day, also called Orange Shirt Day, is a federal statutory vacation that was established final yr following the invention of suspected unmarked burial websites at former residential faculties.
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The day was declared after a whole bunch of potential unmarked burial websites of Indigenous youngsters had been discovered by First Nations close to former residential faculties, together with by the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc nation in Kamloops and Saskatchewan’s Cowessess First Nation.
What every province, territory is doing on Nationwide Day for Fact and Reconciliation
British Columbia
Just like final yr, B.C. has suggested public sector employers, together with these in public faculties, that the day must be noticed as a statutory vacation by those that are usually entitled to federal and provincial stats. Important providers will function as regular. The province has consulted with residential college survivors, Indigenous companions and communities about creating a brand new vacation, and is in search of enter from employers and workers. The province has stated that the earliest adjustments may be made below the Employment Requirements Act can be for 2023.
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Alberta
Alberta has left it as much as employers to implement it as a statutory vacation. A spokesman with Indigenous Relations, Ted Bauer, says the province has chosen to commemorate the day by schooling and motion, as work is being executed to create a residential college monument and backyard. The United Nurses of Alberta has stated Alberta Well being Providers informed it to acknowledge the day as a named vacation after the union filed a grievance.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan says it isn’t contemplating extra statutory holidays presently. Matthew Glover, director of media relations with the federal government, says Sept. 30 will proceed to be an vital day for reflection, recognition and a chance for all residents to study extra concerning the legacy of residential faculties.
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Manitoba
The Manitoba authorities is observing the day for a second yr, whereas discussions proceed about making it a statutory vacation. Faculties and non-essential authorities providers and places of work will likely be closed. The province says it’s consulting with Indigenous and labour teams.
Ontario
Sept. 30 shouldn’t be a statutory vacation in Ontario. Faculties will likely be open and working as ordinary. Erika Robson, a spokesperson for Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford, says the day is a time for faculties, workplaces and communities to honour these affected by the legacy of residential college insurance policies, and is just like how Remembrance Day is noticed throughout the province.
Quebec
They day shouldn’t be a statutory vacation in Quebec. Final yr, the federal government stated it had no plans to make it one.
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Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia will likely be observing the day for a second yr in a row. Provincial authorities places of work, public faculties, regulated childcare and different non-essential public providers will likely be closed. Companies have the selection to stay open. The day shouldn’t be a normal paid vacation. The federal government is in discussions with Mi’kmaw leaders and communities, in addition to companies and organizations, on how finest to honour the day sooner or later.
New Brunswick
The province lately declared Sept. 30 a provincial vacation. All important providers, together with well being care, will proceed to be delivered. The vacation is optionally available for personal sector companies.
Prince Edward Island
P.E.I. stated final yr it will acknowledge the day. It’s one in all eight paid holidays within the province below the Employment Requirements Act. Provincial authorities places of work and faculties will shut.
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Newfoundland and Labrador
The federal government says consultations proceed with Indigenous governments and organizations and the enterprise and labour sector about making the day a public vacation below the Labour Requirements Act. For now, provincial authorities places of work, faculties and different entities will likely be closed. The province is encouraging companies and different organizations to commemorate the day.
Nunavut
The territory introduced final month that adjustments had been made to the Labour Requirements Act, Laws Act and Public Service Act to make the day a statutory vacation, which applies to public service workers and people with territorially regulated companies.
Northwest Territories
N.W.T. amended the Employment Requirements Act in the summertime so as to add the day to its checklist of statutory holidays to be noticed yearly starting this yr.
Yukon
The territory surveyed members of public, First Nations, companies and different teams to get suggestions on what the day ought to appear like. It says help was combined for making it a statutory vacation. The federal government says it’s persevering with consultations however the earliest Sept. 30 may change into a stat can be subsequent yr. This yr, the territory is observing the day and Yukon authorities workers won’t be required to work. Faculties will likely be closed.
– Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press