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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.