The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30th a new statutory holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This commemorative holiday was one of ‘94 Calls to Action’ featured in The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 report calling on the federal government to establish a statutory holiday to honour residential school victims, survivors, and their families, and to ensure that public recognition of the residential school tragedy remains central to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
As a public-purpose institution actively working with Indigenous communities and stakeholders in Canada and across the Pacific, APF Canada is joining others in honouring this day. In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will now mark September 30 as an annual statutory holiday, and we will close our operations in solidarity and commemoration.
While reconciliation is a complex, multi-faceted process, and deeply personal for many Canadians, we encourage all Canadians to use this day to learn about the injustices of colonialism, attend an event in their own community, participate in a virtual event during Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021 (Sept. 27 – Oct. 1), read the Truth and Reconciliation Report, talk with your friends and family about the sombre legacy of residential schools, or simply take a moment of quiet reflection.
