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
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.