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The federal government's adoption of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an annual statutory holiday — to be observed each year on September 30 — is in response to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015.
Action 80 called for the establishment of a federal statutory holiday — in collaboration with Indigenous peoples — to honour residential school survivors, their families and communities. September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day, a day for Canadians to learn about and reflect on the experiences of Indigenous children at residential schools.
See related: Survivor offers advice on how to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Royal assent was granted in June, coinciding with the location of hundreds of children's graves on former residential school properties formerly operated by religious organizations and the federal government.
The statutory holiday means a day off work for employees of federally regulated workplaces. City of North Bay employees will also get the day off and the municipality will offer National Day for Truth and Reconciliation programming.
However, the day has not yet been recognized by the Ontario government as a statutory holiday leaving it up to schools, businesses, and municipal governments on how best to approach this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
See also: Businesses, schools and cities observing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
"As publicly-assisted colleges and universities are independent legal entities, they each have the authority to determine how they will commemorate and honour the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation," states James Tinajero of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. "We know that Ontario’s colleges and universities are engaged in a number of activities in support of the day, including community events, educational and awareness activities and training for faculty, staff or students."
Locally, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be recognized with special events planned at each institution but Nipissing University students, faculty and staff will have the day off while classes will be held as scheduled at Canadore College.
Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President & Vice-Chancellor says Nipissing University "will recognize this day as a holiday, and as such, remote and in-person classes will be cancelled, and employees will not be required to report to work."
At Canadore, where Indigenous students make up 25 per cent of the student population, the school community "will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by providing employees with an opportunity to reflect on and learn more about the significance of Truth and Reconciliation and the history behind Orange Shirt Day. This will have a direct benefit to our students and employees and is in keeping with the intended spirit of the day."
"Nipissing University community members are encouraged to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through personal reflection, education and awareness, and participation in events such as Orange Shirt Day," adds Wamsley, "and to commit to meaningful discussion and the ongoing process of reconciliation."
For more on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events for Nipissing University, click here.
Canadore College’s First Peoples’ Centre will be hosting a ceremony to commemorate the day at the College Drive campus. The session will be recorded for students and employees who are still learning and working from home. For more details on the Canadore event, click here.
