Provincial Government to Observe a Day for Truth and Reconciliation

  • Executive Council

September 14, 2022

September 30 marks a Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Newfoundland and Labrador when we honour survivors and raise awareness about the terrible legacy of residential schools in Canada, including this province.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are encouraged to take time to learn about residential schools and reflect on the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples.

This day is also observed as Orange Shirt Day. Residents are urged to wear orange on this and any other day of the year. Wearing orange honours the children who attended residential schools and recognizes the traumatic experience of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away from her on the first day she attended a residential school.

Businesses and other organizations in the province are encouraged to commemorate the Day for Truth and Reconciliation. As part of the ongoing process to identify a meaningful way to observe this day going forward, consultations will continue with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and the business and labour sector on the prospect of declaring September 30 a public day of reflection under the Labour Standards Act.

Government offices, schools and other entities will be closed on September 30 as the provincial public service will once again join Canadians in commemorating survivors and stand with families and communities who are grieving.

Confederation Building will be lit in orange on the evening of September 30 to commemorate all those affected by residential schools. Flags will fly at half-mast in memory of the children who never returned home. The Survivor’s Flag distributed by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be flown.

The observance of a day dedicated to honouring the survivors, families and communities who were deeply impacted by residential schools, and children and youth who did not return home, was a Call to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. In keeping with the spirit and intent of the Call to Action, governments across the country are observing this day.

Quotes
“On September 30, the provincial public service will again observe a Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All government offices, schools and other entities will be closed. During that day of reflection, I encourage each of us to learn more about the impacts of residential schools in Canada, and to take this opportunity to learn more about Indigenous peoples. It is in the act of educating ourselves that we can begin the journey towards reconciliation.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and President of Treasury Board

“We share a collective responsibility to learn and understand how residential schooling in Canada had a traumatic and profound impact on survivors, families and communities. September 30 is also a day to honour those children and youth who did not return home to their families and communities. More than just reflecting and remembering, we must commit and strive to do better.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“This day is a time to honour survivors and raise awareness about the dark history of residential schools in Canada. I encourage everyone in the province to take a moment, or whatever time is possible within their own circumstances, to think about this day and to reflect on the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister Responsible for Labour

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Learn More
Orange Shirt Day

Indigenous Governments and Organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador

Federal Government Statutory Holiday

Media Contacts
Victoria Barbour
Treasury Board Secretariat
709-729-4087, 327-6152
victoriabarbour@gov.nl.ca

Allan Bock
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-4449, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca

Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

2022 09 14 11:20 am