Make National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept 30) a statutory holiday at Queen’s University
Principal Patrick Deane, Queen's University
The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30th a statutory federal holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Starting this year, September 30th, previously known as Orange Shirt Day, will be a paid and designated holiday for all federally regulated workers. The designation of this day is in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The day is meant to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and to ensure a sustained institutional recognition and commemoration of the history of residential schools on Turtle Island.
Queen’s as a provincially regulated institution has the ability to mark its own statutory holidays. We ask that Queen’s designate September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday for the University.
In the University Sector, Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Winnipeg have cancelled all classes for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 2021, and are currently planning for the statutory holiday closure of the University. Other employers, including the City of Saskatoon and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, have also made this decision and more institutions will follow.
Queen’s University is currently at the cross-roads, not only in re-evaluating its history but importantly in determining its responsibilities in furthering Truth and Reconciliation. Forward momentum requires Queen’s to go beyond words of support and voluntary commemorations. Permanently institutionalizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday is a small step in demonstrating the University’s commitment towards the process of healing.
PSAC 901 has demanded September 30th as a holiday on behalf of contract academic workers (TAs/RAs/TFs) at the University. We call upon Queen’s to heed this call and to designate September 30th as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and as a statutory holiday for all staff, students, faculty and other workers at the University.
Petition by
To:
Principal Patrick Deane, Queen's University
From:
[Your Name]
The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30th a statutory federal holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Starting this year, September 30th, previously known as Orange Shirt Day, will be a paid and designated holiday for all federally regulated workers. The designation of this day is in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The day is meant to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and to ensure a sustained institutional recognition and commemoration of the history of residential schools on Turtle Island.
Queen’s as a provincially regulated institution has the ability to mark its own statutory holidays. We ask that Queen’s designate September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday for the University.
In the University Sector, Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Winnipeg have cancelled all classes for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 2021, and are currently planning for the statutory holiday closure of the University. Other employers, including the City of Saskatoon and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, have also made this decision and more institutions will follow.
Queen’s University is currently at the cross-roads, not only in re-evaluating its history but importantly in determining its responsibilities in furthering Truth and Reconciliation. Forward momentum requires Queen’s to go beyond words of support and voluntary commemorations. Permanently institutionalizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday is a small step in proving the University’s commitment towards the process of healing.
PSAC 901 has demanded September 30th as a holiday on behalf of contract academic workers (TAs/RAs/TFs) at the University. We call upon Queen’s to heed this call and to designate September 30th as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and as a statutory holiday for all staff, students, faculty and other workers at the University.