july 1 is no time to celebrate

June 26, 2021

Skeena Diversity Society will join Heritage Park Museum on July 1st to host an event in lieu of the regular Canada Day celebrations. After hearing the devastating news of bodies uncovered at numerous residential schools, we have made the decision that we will not be taking part in Canada Day celebrations. At this event, there will be NO celebrations and NO Canadian flags.

We are co-hosting this event to honour all those who were forcibly taken to and attended residential schools. We honour survivors, their ancestors, and those who suffered and those who died at those institutions.

We want to create an opportunity for reflection and dialogue. We will provide information about the country’s racist history and devastating impact of residential schools in Canada.

We encourage everyone to make a personal commitment to Truth and Reconciliation (TRC); we stand together, committed to learning the Truth followed by meaningful and genuine Reconciliation

This community event is about our diverse groups of people coming together, recognizing Canada’s true history for all living on the traditional lands of what we call Canada.

Let’s spend some time on July 1st learning about the TRC’s Calls to Action, the Calls to Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), and the real impact of the Indian Act. Talk with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about your own role in reconciliation and building a more equitable, resilient community for us all.