Thursday marks the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada.
The new federal statutory holiday was one of 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
It called for a holiday to “ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
The day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which was established in 2013 to honour Indigenous children forced to leave their families to attend residential schools.
While the federal statutory holiday received Royal Assent in June, the New Brunswick government decided not to make it a provincial statutory holiday.
Federally regulated workplaces are closed Thursday but all provincial services, including public schools, remain open.
“Our government encourages everyone to use this day as an opportunity to consider what each of us can do as individuals to advance reconciliation and help to create a better, more inclusive province,” Premier Blaine Higgs said in a statement on Sept. 1.
While some businesses and municipalities will remain open Thursday, others have decided to close for the day.
Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe, and Sackville are among the communities recognizing Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday for municipal employees.
While many non-essential services in the communities will not be operating, Codiac Transpo will be running on a regular schedule.
In Moncton, the Coliseum, Crossman Community Centre/Kay Arena and Superior Propane Centre will remain open.
The city has partnered with Elsipogtog First Nation for a short ceremony in the plaza of City Hall at noon. Attendees are invited to wear orange to raise awareness of the legacy of residential schools.
City Hall, Downing Street and the Avenir Centre will be illuminated in orange, and flags have been lowered at City Hall.
In Dieppe, non-essential services are closed for the day but recreational facilities in the community remain open.
The city has said closing non-essential services will only apply this year. In future years, they will consider other ways to highlight the contribution and history of Indigenous peoples with staff and the public.
Former Residential School students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health support from the Government of Canada. Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to the Hope for Wellness Help Line 24/7 for counselling and crisis intervention.
