Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations. (Rick Wilson Facebook)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Committed To Meaningful Action

Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Minister Wilson

Sep 30, 2021 | 5:25 PM

Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations, issued the following statement Thursday declaring Sept. 30 a Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Alberta.

“The Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. It is a day for everyone to reflect on the steps each of us can take to move toward reconciliation and healing.

“On behalf of Alberta’s government, our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by the discovery of unmarked gravesites across the country. We are committed to taking real, meaningful action to help Indigenous communities identify these sites and properly commemorate them.

“Flags at provincial buildings are flying at half-mast to remember those children who never returned home.

“Today, Alberta’s government commemorated the day with the planting of a tree on the legislature grounds. This tree represents growth and continuity, renewal and life. It is strong and resilient like residential schools survivors, their families and communities. A reconciliation garden will be planted at the same site next year.

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“Alberta’s government takes reconciliation seriously, making progress on 21 of the 29 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that fall under provincial responsibility.

We cannot change history, but together, we can forge the path toward a brighter future while forever remembering those children whose lives were lost and support those struggling with intergenerational trauma.

“Please take time to listen, learn and show compassion toward the Indigenous people who continue to live with the effects of residential schools. I encourage Albertans to support Indigenous-led Orange Shirt campaigns. Visit alberta.ca/orange-shirt-day to find an event that speaks to you.”

Meantime, Alberta’s NDP is calling on the provincial UCP government to formally recognize Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Party officials say the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) final report specifically issues a call to action for “a statutory holiday… to honour survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

To date, NDP officials say the UCP government has left it up to employers to determine whether to recognize the day as a statutory holiday. Alberta NDP Indigenous Relations Critic Richard Feehan and Education Critic Sarah Hoffman have sent a joint letter to UCP Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson urging him to reconsider on Sept. 17. The NDP says a response from the Minister was received earlier this week declining the request.

“That the UCP government would leave the decision to individual workplaces and industries is deeply concerning and raises questions about their broader awareness and commitment to the TRC Calls to Action,” said Feehan, in a press release. “I want the Minister to introduce legislation to recognize this day and our Official Opposition would be happy to expedite passage.”

Hoffman said it is critical for all orders of government to follow through on implementation of the TRC calls and take specific steps to educate future leaders about the history of residential schools.

“The atrocities that were committed must never happen again,” added Hoffman. “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission put forward its calls to action with this in mind and yet we have the UCP outright rejecting their implementation.

“Why does this government think that is acceptable? We have an opportunity to educate students about the importance of truth and reconciliation and we have a government that would rather treat this day like any other.”