The City of Parksville will begin this year to observe and recognize Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Earlier this year, the federal government passed Bill C-5, which officially designates a national day to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada.
On Thursday, Sept. 30, to show honour for the day, city flags will be flown at half-mast and aligned with the federal and provincial governments.
The Parksville Civic and Technology Centre offices will be closed.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach, RDN to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30
Sept. 30 is a day to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools where more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend beginning in 1920 under the Indian Act.
The first residential school was established in 1831, and the last school closed in 1996.
To learn more about the history of residential schools, or to read the Memorial Register of children who attended residential schools and never returned home, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website at www.nctr.ca.
“For Parksville residents and for all Canadians, the recent finding of so many unmarked graves has been tragic, and we acknowledge the pain and trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples across the country. I encourage everyone to reflect on the legacy of the residential schools and think about how we can show our support for the survivors, their families and communities as we jointly move towards healing and meaningful reconciliation,” said Mayor Ed Mayne in a public release issued on Sept. 15.
– NEWS Staff, submitted
