On September 30, 2021, SaskCulture will recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (which coincides with Orange Shirt Day) as a statutory holiday. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to listen to, learn about, act on and honour the impact of residential schools and consider ways to address the 94 Calls to Action, outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Final Report. In response to Call to Action #80, this national holiday will provide Canadians with an opportunity “to honour Survivors, their families and communities.”
Reconciliation requires more than a national holiday. SaskCulture continues to work on an ongoing basis to assess and address the ways it can move forward on all the Calls to Action, and establish meaningful partnerships with First Nations and Métis people, communities and organizations. We are hopeful that our current funding program renewal processes with community partners and advisors will help us move forward in decolonizing our systems and offering opportunities for increased Indigenous participation and partnership in cultural activity in the province.
While we recognize this day as further progress on the Calls to Action, SaskCulture staff and volunteers are committed to an ongoing process to address reconciliation – one that requires listening, learning, acting and honouring in order to bring about the change needed to support those impacted by residential schools and colonization.
On National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day, and every other day, we encourage everyone to take the time to learn more about the true impact of residential schools and to find ways to address the Calls to Actions on their own reconciliation journey. Visit https://www.saskculture.ca/iah for a list of suggestions for those wanting to learn more.