Politicians under pressure to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Saskatchewan is taking some heat after two Meadow Lake court workers were sent home early for wearing orange shirts on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on Sept. 30.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief David Pratt said on Oct.4 the incident was re-triggering and re-traumatizing for both employees — one of whom is a second-generation residential school survivor.

Now the council is calling on the province to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday, saying Saskatchewan is on the wrong side of history.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was legislated as a federal holiday in 2021. Every other province and territory in Canada recognizes the day as a holiday apart from Saskatchewan and Ontario.

It coincides with Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools.

“On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange,” the federal government says on its National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website.

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‘Not as simple as it seems,’ says Scott Moe

When asked about the possibility of making the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a stat holiday, Sask. Party Leader Scott Moe said those talks are taking place.

“We’ve had those discussions and continue to have those discussions,” said Moe. “The fact is this — Saskatchewan has as many (statutory holidays) or more than any other province.”

The province observes 10 public holidays, and Moe said it’s not as simple as it seems to add another.

“It is a discussion that would have to happen with communities,” said Moe. “With business, with the government itself, and with our Indigenous leaders across the province.”

Moe also said just because a day isn’t observed as a statutory holiday, doesn’t mean it’s a less significant day.

“In Manitoba, for example, (they) don’t provincially recognize Remembrance Day as a stat holiday,” said Moe.

“I would say in no way do Manitobans not recognize what our veterans have done for us for the freedom we have across Canada.

“Although it’s not recognized as a stat holiday does not in any way diminish the importance of the day and the recognition of what the day signifies,” Moe said.

‘It’s an important day,’ says Carla Beck

Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck she said if elected an NDP government would make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday.

“It’s an important day to honour survivors of residential schools — to allow Canadians to reflect on the history of colonization and the treatment of Indigenous people in this country,” Beck said.

She said recognizing the day as a statutory holiday is only one step towards reconciliation.

“It’s not the only measure that we need to take in terms of walking that path,” said Beck. “But it’s a start.”

Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice of Ministry refused to comment about the court workers, with a spokesperson saying that it was not allowed to speak about the situation because of the election.

— with files from BattledfordNow and CKOM News

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