Surrey Schools welcomes B.C.’s formal recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Day as a statutory day

The recent move by the Province of British Columbia to enshrine Truth and Reconciliation Day as an officially recognized statutory day of commemoration is being praised by Surrey Schools’ Indigenous Learning department head as an important step in raising awareness of residential schools and their history in Canada.

“I think it’s so important to have day like that available to everyone,” said Lyn Daniels, ‪Director of Instruction for the district’s Indigenous Peoples Learning department. “Previously, it was only available to a select set of workers, and so this opens it up for all families to observe the day.”

B.C. joins Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon as jurisdictions that have designated September 30 as a statutory day to honour survivors, families and communities affected by the residential school system. The day is also recognized federally by the Government of Canada.

“This is a day to honour the children who didn’t make it home from residential schools, to be able to speak for them because they couldn’t speak for themselves,” said Daniels. “But not only is it important to honour those who didn’t come back, it’s also important to honour those who survived that experience and to hear their stories.”

Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurie Larsen joined Daniels in praising the move, noting it provides more opportunities to have important conversations.

“This will allow students and families the time to learn about the past, consider this dark part of BC’s and Canada’s history, and discuss the ongoing, generational trauma and impacts of residential schools,” said Larsen. “Marking this day is another important step towards reconciliation and we’re glad students and their families will have a day to further understand and reflect."

Daniels is hopeful there will be more events and learning opportunities now that Truth and Reconciliation Day is an official statutory day of commemoration in B.C. 

“I look for opportunities to go to events to do that honouring,” she said. “There usually is an event at Holland Park organized by the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee and then local First Nations may also organize their own events as well.”

Daniels also added that she is happy to see B.C. continuing its efforts towards reconciliation.

“In B.C. we have the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act which uses the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People to align laws in our province, and B.C. was at the forefront of that,” explained Daniels. “So I’m proud to be a in province that is continuing to take a leadership role in these important areas.”

Resources

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• Orange Shirt Society
• Indigenous peoples and cultures: Learn about Canada’s three distinct groups of Indigenous peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs that are woven into the fabric of our country.
• Indigenous languages: Learn more about Indigenous languages as well as the tools, programs and resources to help support the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada.
• Indigenous history: The history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, reconciliation and more.  
• Reconciliation: Learn how the Government of Canada is working to advance reconciliation and renew the relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

Supports available to Indigenous Peoples

• KUU-US Crisis Line Society: First Nations and Aboriginal specific 24/7 crisis line based in Port Alberni and serving the entire province.
  • TOLL-FREE: 1-800-588-8717
  • YOUTH LINE: 250-723-2040
  • ADULT LINE: 250-723-4050
• Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266. Answered by staff 24/7. Available throughout Canada and US
• Youth in BC: visit www.youthinbc.com for youth resources or chat with a counsellor online. You can also call 1-866-661-3311 (toll-free in BC).