National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
by Ronnie Kayla Neiman
The Manitoba government is recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a day of observance to encourage reflection and meaningful discussions about the impacts of residential schools.
It was in June, the House of Commons unanimously passed legislation to make Sept. 30 a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve for those who were lost.The Northwest Territories government followed suit with an announcement in July.
The day that was also known as Orange Shirt Day was established in honour of the experience of Phyllis Webstad, whose gift of clothing from her grandmother was taken away on Webstad's first day at a residential school. 2022 will mark the second year that people in Manitoba have marked the day as a day of learning and teaching about Residential Schools.
Schools will be closed and no classes will be held on that day. Manitoba’s public servants will also observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and non-essential government services and offices will be closed for the day. This includes Brandon university where there will be no classes and no student services available.
It seems that removing people from a learning environment to observe this day, it seems counter productive to close down schools for the day. It is a good time to take the day in order to teach those who do not know the full dark truth about what had happened in Canadian Residential schools.
Remember to wear Orange on September 30th to honour the children who suffered at these schools, and to remember those children who never came home.