National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events moving online amid rising Sask. COVID-19 cases
Canada’s first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will take place on Sept. 30, but because of the ongoing pandemic, the city isn’t encouraging any large-scale, in-person events.
“Due to the COVID-19 situation, we’re looking to individuals to take time to reflect within their households,” said Sandra Masters, mayor of Regina.
The city is no longer holding an event on the day, but is instead encouraging residents to learn more about Indigenous history, as creating a federal holiday like this one was one of the 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“The City of Regina has a list of opportunities for some teachings and for some cultural awareness about Truth and Reconciliation Day,” Masters said.
The statutory holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a movement that began as a way to honour Indigenous children, and educate Canadians about the impacts of the residential school system.
The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan is one of the organizations hosting an online event on Sept. 29 at 10:45 a.m.
“To virtually honour the children who didn’t make it home, for the survivors, for the dependents, and for communities, all our communities that deal with, on an ongoing basis, the impacts of residential schools,” Rhonda Rosenberg, the executive director of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, said.
Featuring speakers and traditional First Nation and Métis performances, the event is taking place the day before the holiday because organizers wanted it to be more accessible to schools and workplaces.
“It’s all of our responsibility to understand our past and to really take that responsibility for building a future that is good for every single person here,” Rosenberg said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Tom Mulcair: Park now littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Equifax Canada testing use of rental payment data for credit scores
Equifax Canada says it's exploring how rent data could factor in to credit scores to help make credit and financial services accessible to more people.