'Everybody should be off on that day': Indigenous leaders in N.B. say of Sept. 30 holiday
The Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories is calling on New Brunswick businesses to shut their doors on Sept. 30 in solidarity, despite the provincial government's decision not to recognize the date as a provincial statutory holiday.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a new federal statutory holiday that will be marked for the first time in a matter of weeks, and is dedicated to reflecting on the history of the residential school system – and the discoveries of many unmarked graves.
"Those were babies that were taken from their homes that never returned home some of them, and that's a day we should sit in solitude and celebrate them and gather, we should have that opportunity," says president of the organization, Brandy Stanovich. "Everybody should be off on that day so they can come and join in those ceremonies and the learning from Indigenous people, because it is our history and it does carry down through our bloodlines."
Despite the decision from the provincial government, the city of Miramichi does plan to participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This will become a designated paid holiday for the municipality, allowing employees of the city to take part in the day.
"We were in a position, our collective agreements with our unions allowed for us to do this," says Miramichi mayor Adam Lordon.
"As a council we felt it was very important to participate in the day."
The town of Sussex has also posted on social media that they too will be observing on September 30 – allowing town employees to recognize and reflect.
The post also says that they encourage everyone to take a moment on that day to honour survivors, and to think about what each one of us can do to advance reconciliation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.