Minister’s Statement on Truth and Reconciliation Week

NOTE: The following is a statement from Trevor Boudreau, Minister of L’nu Affairs.

September 25-30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Week, a time to focus our attention on the legacy of residential schools and our shared history with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people throughout Canada.

Saturday, September 30, is Truth and Reconciliation Day in Nova Scotia, which honours residential school survivors, their families and communities. This is the third year Nova Scotia has recognized Truth and Reconciliation Day after the federal government passed legislation in 2021.

I encourage all Nova Scotians to find ways to recognize the day and the path of reconciliation we walk together. Since the day falls on a Saturday this year, government offices, public schools and regulated child care will be closed on Monday, October 2.

Saturday is also Orange Shirt Day, which many schools and others will recognize on Friday, September 29. The day honours the children who never came home from residential schools, raises awareness of the schools and promotes education about the importance of honouring survivors, families and communities. Through the partnership in treaty education, the Province supports online learning for students and teachers, provided across Canada by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

There are opportunities this week for all of us to take an active role and acknowledge the legacy of residential schools. I encourage you to wear orange on Friday and Saturday and attend an event in your area. Make time to learn from the stories of residential school survivors and learn about our treaty relationship.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you will be part of the conversation and continue your learning beyond the week. This is incredibly important to building understanding and making the future better.

By making the most of opportunities to listen, learn and share, we help lift the voice of Indigenous people. We also help dismantle systemic racism, inequalities and discrimination, and build a strong future.

Mawkina’masultinej (Maw-ginah-mahsul-dee-nedge): Let’s learn together.