Newfoundland and Labrador has announced that it, too, will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.

The day will honour survivors and raise awareness about the victims of residential schools in Canada.

Lisa Dempster, the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation says the issue came up in the weekly call with Indigenous leaders. She says an important aspect going forward will be incorporating more Indigenous history into the school curriculum.

She says she’s heard from many parents regarding the lack of educational content, noting there’s an interdepartmental working group focused on expanding the curriculum around Indigenous Peoples.

September 30 will be a paid holiday for government employees and schools will be closed, but for now, the private sector will be free to close or stay open.

Given the timing, the holiday is not marked on school calendars.

Dempster says government will review how the day will be adopted by the public service next year, as well as province-wide.

UPDATE
As announced this week, #nlschools will join w/ Indigenous communities to mark Sept. 30th as the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.

It's been added to our school calendar @ https://t.co/psKvYPgYhj to allow us all to reflect on tragic legacy of residential schools. pic.twitter.com/ZM2qejVO5b

— NLESD (@NLESDCA) September 10, 2021