North Bay City Council has unanimously resolved to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (National Orange Shirt Day) "by sharing the stories of residential school survivors, their families, and communities," September 30th.
The motion was tabled by Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch during Tuesday's regular meeting and seconded by Coun. Johanne Brousseau.
"When we talk about this day, on September 30th, it isn't a day to just sit at home," Vrebosch suggested. "It's a day to reflect and a day to educate yourself."
See related: Local reaction to discovery of children's remains at former residential school in British Columbia
Royal assent was granted in June — coinciding with the location by ground-penetrating radar of hundreds of children's graves on former residential school properties — and the federal government announced September 30th as the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (National Orange Shirt Day) and an annual statutory holiday. Local community leader George Couchie estimated in June there could be as many as 50,000 bodies on the properties formerly operated by religious organizations and the federal government.
See: A look at the residential school system in Canada
And: Locals pushing for papal apology over residential school tragedy
"Education is key so we can make sure the atrocious mistakes never happen again," added Vrebosch. "This is something that we as a City can play a part in. We can't fix everything but we can be part of the education and awareness."
The resolution also included an amendment directing City staff to work with the Indigenous Friendship Centre to "promote truth and reconciliation at the municipal level."
Vrebosch clarified this could include measures such as lighting up City Hall orange or using the City's social media channels to highlight the calls to action in truth and reconciliation.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — the first one, at least — will not mean a day off from work for many in Ontario, nor will schools be closed. The first iteration will see a patchwork of provinces and cities observing.
See: Manitoba and N.S. will recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
In response to questions on what delayed making National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday, a statement from the office of Greg Rickford, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs for Ontario, explains the province "is working in collaboration with Indigenous partners, survivors and affected families to ensure the respectful commemoration of this day within the province, similar to Remembrance Day.
"While the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a provincial public holiday this year, employers and employees may agree to treat this day as such, and some may be required to do so if it has been negotiated into collective agreements or employment contracts. Federally regulated employees, such as federal government and bank employees, are governed by the Canada Labour Code."
Last week, the Ford government prorogued the Ontario legislature until October 4.
As part of its final report in 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission included 94 Calls to Action regarding the legacy of residential schools and the process of Canadian reconciliation.
The local motion states "recent discoveries of remains and unmarked graves across Canada have led to increased calls for all levels of government to address the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission."
Recommendation #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
See: Bike ride honours survivors of residential schools
Brousseau observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation "will be a day for North Bayites to listen, learn, reflect on the legacy and multi-generational impacts of residential schools. To honour the survivors and their families, wear an orange shirt and engage with the Indigenous community."
