Local area schools are making plans for how their staff and students will observe the new federal statutory holiday, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
The federal government announced in June this year that September 30 would become Canada’s newest federal holiday following the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools throughout the country; Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, however, has left the decision of giving employees a paid day off up to individual employers.
“(Prairie Land School Division) has decided not to close schools (on September 30) as we felt a more impactful approach would be through education than giving a day-off where the intent of the day could be lost,” Prairie Land Superintendent Cam McKeage tells the Mail.
McKeage explains Prairie Land administration has taken guidance from their divisional Elder and the Prairie Land Indigenous Committee to create a day of education across the division. He adds students will celebrate Indigenous culture within the country, and create a better understanding of the meaning behind the day through various activities and presentations by guest speakers.
Golden Hills School Division announced on Tuesday, September 7 all schools will be closed on September 30; Golden Hills schools are also encouraged to participate in Truth and Reconciliation Week, an online event held between Monday, September 27 and Friday, October 1, and students will participate in Orange Shirt Day on September 29.
St. Anthony’s School, which is under the Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division (CTR), will also be closed on September 30.
A motion to close all CTR schools for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was passed at a special board meeting on Friday, September 10 following consultation with Indigenous Elders, educational leaders, families, and community members.
“The primary reason for making the day a non-attendance day for staff and students was the symbolism of this action by standing with Indigenous people and stopping normal activities to honour and bring attention to Truth and Reconciliation,” says St. Anthony’s School Principal JoAnne Akerboom.
St. Anthony’s students will engage in a variety of activities in the week leading up to the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, including reading stories about Indigenous peoples and residential schools, discussions surrounding Every Child Matters and Orange Shirt Day,
Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Wednesday, September 29 and flags at St. Anthony’s will be lowered to half-staff.