Lethbridge’s school divisions to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sep 1, 2021 | 2:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – K-12 students in Lethbridge will get two days off in September for stat holidays.

Earlier this year, the federal government created a new holiday for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, taking place for the first time this year on September 30.

It is an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the history of residential schools in Canada and honour the thousands of Indigenous children who died while attending.

Both the Lethbridge School Division and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division held special meetings this week on the topic, both electing to make the 30th a non-operational day.

This means that there will be no classes on that day and schools will be closed through the divisions.

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“Lethbridge School Division believes it is imperative to face, reflect, learn and grow from this history to honour both those who experienced this atrocity first-hand as well as those who continue to bear the marks today. We desire to become a community who grows in understanding, sees with compassion and lives with an inclusive spirit,” says Lethbridge School Division Board Chair Christine Light.

Holy Spirit states that one of their priorities is to “ensure ‘First Nations, Metis, and Inuit education for all,'” while infusing this knowledge into their curriculum.

The local school boards plan to honour Every Child Matters and Orange Shirt Day this month as ways of continuing to raise awareness of these issues.

by David Opinko