Last week was the second National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a federal statutory holiday and many organizations and businesses closed for a day of learning, reflection and respect.
The Pacific FC team asked me to assist the team in witnessing the day, as it had a game against Edmonton at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Starlight Stadium.
We worked together to host a moment of silence prior to the game.
The announcer’s voice echoed over the speakers: “Today is Orange Shirt Day. A day when we honour, acknowledge and remember the children and families who suffered and still suffer from the trauma and abuse that occurred at residential schools. These were not schools; they were despicable institutions.
“We stand for the children who never made it home, the survivors, and all the families affected. Many people are only learning of these truths. Indigenous families have always known; this is not new for them.
“We can do better, we strive to be better, and we share compassion and empathy to the families who live with the rippling effects today.”
West Shore mayors and councils, RCMP leaders, fire chiefs and children joined us in the field with the Pacific FC and Edmonton players.
The entire stadium was silent for one minute, followed by Chief Russ Chipps of Beecher Bay (SC’IANEW) First Nation, Rick Peter and Alana Jay singing a prayer song and drumming. I was honoured that Chipps handed me a drum and asked me to sing with them in centre field.
Later, announcer Cliff LeQuesne spoke about the event on The Q! Morning Show and shared how powerful he found the moment.
A couple days prior to Sept. 30, I was in a building for a meeting. As I waited for my appointment to begin, I saw a sign on the wall that read “[Name of business] will be closed on Sept. 30 for the holiday — National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.”
I know that with the day being deemed a “statutory holiday,” people will use the word “holiday” and technically it’s not wrong.
But reading those words really felt wrong.
When we look at what inspired the day, it is not the same as a day we celebrate. It’s a day to observe, recognize and remember.
There are other statutory “holidays” with a similar tone, such as Remembrance Day.
This was the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and people are still learning to navigate it. The sign saying “closed for the holiday” was not a malicious act, probably just a misstep.
I am not writing this to call anyone out, but to highlight how things can be perceived.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and these are often formed from our experiences and what people close to us have told us.
Not everyone will choose to observe this day, and we can’t force people to. In my last column, I wrote about residential schools and received several emails from residential-school survivors thanking me for what I wrote.
I also received emails from readers with a variety of criticisms, some even saying that residential schools never happened. Often when I write about Indigenous issues, I receive some harsh emails from readers. It comes with the territory, and people can have any opinion they want.
The goal is never to fight or argue with people. We can’t get everyone on board, but there are people who want to get on board, and they are not sure how to do it, or are nervous to try.
Those are the people we take time to speak with and share experiences with, because there is a purpose and intention.
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