Truth and reconciliation: N.B. chiefs criticize decision not to recognize holiday
By Staff The Canadian Press
Posted September 29, 2021
New Brunswick cities and towns observing truth and reconciliation day on their own – Sep 8, 2021
“Day schools in the province … shared the same mission as residential schools – assimilating Indigenous children into colonial culture.”
The federal government this year declared Sept. 30 an annual statutory holiday. It automatically applies to those who work for the federal government or federally regulated agencies and businesses.
Ottawa has left it up to provinces to decide if a statutory holiday applies at the provincial level.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2021.
Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk First Nation says Blaine Higgs' decision represents a missed opportunity to repair damaged relations between Indigenous people and the provincial government.
Fredericton paints crosswalks orange in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day
Thursday, Sept. 30 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
By Staff The Canadian Press
Posted September 29, 2021
People placed children’s shoes on the front stairs of the New Brunswick legislature as a memorial for the 215 children found at the Kamloops Residential School as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Fredericton, N.B., on Monday June 21, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray
Chiefs representing the three largest First Nations in New Brunswick say they are profoundly disappointed with Premier Blaine Higgs’ decision not to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial holiday.
The Indigenous leaders released an open letter to the premier Wednesday – the day before the first Truth and Reconciliation Day – pointing out that many of the province’s cities and towns will be honouring the victims of Canada’s residential school system.
The chiefs of Elsipogtog, Esgenoopetitj and Neqotkuk say they are dismayed that all provincial schools and other government institutions will remain open on Thursday.
Ross Perley, chief of the Neqotkuk First Nation, says Higgs’ decision represents a missed opportunity to repair damaged relations between Indigenous people and the provincial government.
READ MORE: Canada set to mark 1st National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Here’s what’s happening
“We believe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is important to the Truth and Reconciliation process, and not recognizing it as a statutory holiday diminishes the importance of that process,” Perley said in a statement.
The provincial government did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, the chiefs are also demanding the province conduct an investigation into New Brunswick’s day schools for Indigenous children.
“As a people, we need healing and forward thinking,” Alvery Paul, chief of the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, said in statement.
Chiefs representing the three largest First Nations in New Brunswick say they are profoundly disappointed with Premier Blaine Higgs’ decision not to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial holiday.
The Indigenous leaders released an open letter to the premier Wednesday – the day before the first Truth and Reconciliation Day – pointing out that many of the province’s cities and towns will be honouring the victims of Canada’s residential school system.
The chiefs of Elsipogtog, Esgenoopetitj and Neqotkuk say they are dismayed that all provincial schools and other government institutions will remain open on Thursday.
Ross Perley, chief of the Neqotkuk First Nation, says Higgs’ decision represents a missed opportunity to repair damaged relations between Indigenous people and the provincial government.
READ MORE: Canada set to mark 1st National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Here’s what’s happening
“We believe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is important to the Truth and Reconciliation process, and not recognizing it as a statutory holiday diminishes the importance of that process,” Perley said in a statement.
The provincial government did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, the chiefs are also demanding the province conduct an investigation into New Brunswick’s day schools for Indigenous children.
“As a people, we need healing and forward thinking,” Alvery Paul, chief of the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, said in statement.
New Brunswick cities and towns observing truth and reconciliation day on their own – Sep 8, 2021
“Day schools in the province … shared the same mission as residential schools – assimilating Indigenous children into colonial culture.”
The federal government this year declared Sept. 30 an annual statutory holiday. It automatically applies to those who work for the federal government or federally regulated agencies and businesses.
Ottawa has left it up to provinces to decide if a statutory holiday applies at the provincial level.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2021.
Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk First Nation says Blaine Higgs' decision represents a missed opportunity to repair damaged relations between Indigenous people and the provincial government.
Fredericton paints crosswalks orange in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day
Thursday, Sept. 30 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
CBC News · Posted: Sep 28, 2021
The City of Fredericton and St. Mary's First Nation are painting two crosswalks orange in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
(City of Fredericton Facebook page)
The City of Fredericton will be honouring the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by painting two crosswalks orange.
City crews are working with community members at St. Mary's First Nations to install the two Indigenous crosswalks for Thursday, Sept. 30 — a day to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential schools in Canada.
"We don't want it to be treated like a holiday but rather a day of reflection and remembering," said Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers.
One crosswalk is along Queen Street outside City Hall, and the other is along Maliseet Drive in front of Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School.
It was decided to paint over the rainbow crosswalk downtown now that the Fredericton Pride celebrations have finished for the year.
The downtown location is also a popular spot for pedestrians and drivers.
"It's really just another opportunity to put something in place to cause people to pause and reflect," Rogers said.
Sept. 30 is also recognized across Canada as Orange Shirt Day, as it was the time of year when Indigenous children were taken from their families to attend residential schools. The recognition is part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
"I think it's critical that we show our commitment to that process," she said.
Truth and Reconciliation Day will also be a municipal holiday for city staff in Fredericton after council voted unanimously in favour of honouring the federal holiday earlier this month.
"This symbolic gesture is just one step among many we intend to take on our long road toward reconciliation," the city said in a Facebook post.
City hall will be lit up with orange lights from Monday to Thursday. A Wolastoqey flag will be raised on Thursday, the 30th, and staff will be given orange T-shirts to wear in honour of the memory of children who were sent away to residential schools.
"We want to make this day real for people," Rogers said. "We want it to be front of mind."
The City of Fredericton will be honouring the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by painting two crosswalks orange.
City crews are working with community members at St. Mary's First Nations to install the two Indigenous crosswalks for Thursday, Sept. 30 — a day to recognize and reflect on the legacy of residential schools in Canada.
"We don't want it to be treated like a holiday but rather a day of reflection and remembering," said Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers.
One crosswalk is along Queen Street outside City Hall, and the other is along Maliseet Drive in front of Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School.
It was decided to paint over the rainbow crosswalk downtown now that the Fredericton Pride celebrations have finished for the year.
The downtown location is also a popular spot for pedestrians and drivers.
"It's really just another opportunity to put something in place to cause people to pause and reflect," Rogers said.
Sept. 30 is also recognized across Canada as Orange Shirt Day, as it was the time of year when Indigenous children were taken from their families to attend residential schools. The recognition is part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
"I think it's critical that we show our commitment to that process," she said.
Truth and Reconciliation Day will also be a municipal holiday for city staff in Fredericton after council voted unanimously in favour of honouring the federal holiday earlier this month.
"This symbolic gesture is just one step among many we intend to take on our long road toward reconciliation," the city said in a Facebook post.
City hall will be lit up with orange lights from Monday to Thursday. A Wolastoqey flag will be raised on Thursday, the 30th, and staff will be given orange T-shirts to wear in honour of the memory of children who were sent away to residential schools.
"We want to make this day real for people," Rogers said. "We want it to be front of mind."
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