Daniel Saadatmandi
Staff Reporter
On September 30, 2021, people all across Canada were honoring Truth and Reconciliation Day, a day where you are supposed to take some time to honor the Indigenous people who suffered and died under the Residential Schools, not only that, but some provinces like British Columbia, have decided to let students return home for the day, which includes Gleneagle.
On September 29, 2020, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-5, which promised to introduce a new federal statutory holiday named Truth and Reconciliation Day. This Bill had two goals, to answer Call of Action 80 made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to provide a day of remembrance for the 150,000 children forced to go to Residential schools from 1831 to 1996.
Many government workers were given a day off, which included teachers, which meant schools closed down, and so kids were given a day of too. When asked if this was a good idea, Finn Pryce a grade 10 student at Gleneagle said, “Yes, so they can go to events about Truth and reconciliation, to show support for the Indigenous community.”
Also on that day, many government buildings were illuminated orange, as a sign of respect. As Finn said earlier, there were also many Indigenous themed events held to further educate people on the event and the Indigenous community in general, such as the APTN Sunrise Ceremony.
Many kids and teachers were interviewed on there thoughts on Truth and Reconciliation Day, when asked if this holiday was needed, Finn stated, “Yes, it’s important to give survivors reconciliation and to acknowledge what they went through and giving them a chance to heal and be heard.” Finn continued to say that its important that we continue teach this subject to make sure its remembered and that never it happens again.
With all the talk of healing, it begs the question, when will the effects of Residential schools on Aboriginal people be healed? When asked this question, Gina Gianakas, a TOC teacher at Gleneagle said, “Multiple generations, when Aboriginals no longer represent a huge portion of the poverty population and when they are systematically discriminated against.” Finn, who was also asked the question, gave a similar answer about how it will only be achieved after they are no longer are systemically discriminated against.
As you see, it seems as though Truth and Reconciliation was very popular and will most likely return next year.
Sources:
National Truth and Reconciliation Day
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