Today (Thursday) is the first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada.
The day serves as a time for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians across the country to honour the lost children and survivors of the residential school system, along with their family members.
In June the government announced the official date for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as September 30th, which was previously known as “Orange Shirt Day”.
While the local events have been cancelled due to the pandemic, Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan says she hopes all Prince George residents take a moment to learn about the history and culture of local First Nations.
“Instead of being together, listening to our elders and listening to the drummers and watching little kids dance, which is the best part. I urge everyone to just reflect on truth and reconciliation and what it means to you. For non-Indigenous Canadians, it means a day of learning, like I’ve said in the past just take five minutes to learn about local history,” Chief Logan stated.
She hopes PG residents learn about the impacts residential schools have had on Indigenous Canadians over the last 150 years, and to imagine what the country would look like nowadays if residential schools were never a part of Canada’s history.
Additionally, Chief Logan says she wishes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation took place in May when the remains of 215 children were found at the former Kamloops residential school.
“While I do support the Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I’m just not happy with the date that was chosen. The date should’ve been consulted with First Nations across Canada on a day that they feel is the true day for reconciliation,” Chief Logan noted.
Lheidli T’enneh is now working on implementing a local day of remembrance in May to honour the lives lost in the Kamloops residential school.
“Again it’s the government picking the day, not consulting us. It’s a day for us to reflect on truth and if it happened on the day the 215 children were found it would’ve been a true day for truth and reconciliation.”
Chief Logan also announced there has been ongoing discussions about bringing the same ground-penetrating radar used to uncover the remains in Kamloops to the former Lejac residential school near Fraser Lake.
Recently, numerous Indigenous leaders across Canada announced they will be heading to Italy to ask Pope Francis to apologize for their role in facilitating residential schools.
Chief Logan says she still believes the Pope needs to come to Canada, specifically Kamloops and other residential schools grounds to apologize directly to those impacted by the system.
To make a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, visit the non-profit’s website.
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