Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, so city employees will receive it off as a statutory holiday and city hall will support community activities recognizing that day.
During its Aug. 22 regular meeting, council voted unanimously to encourage all residents and organizations to recognize Sept. 30 to honour the survivors of Indian residential schools, their families, and communities while ensuring public commemoration of the schools happens as part of the reconciliation process.
Furthermore, council directed city hall to support the activities of local groups recognizing the day in Moose Jaw and give employees the day off.
Supporting this day is part of the City of Moose Jaw’s strategic plan, specifically objective No. 7, a council report said. This focuses on people and culture and discusses the need to meet with elders and Aboriginal people in Moose Jaw to create a closer relationship and help develop a cultural action plan.
Based on the advice that Aboriginal groups and First Nations have provided to city hall, the municipality has:
- Entered into a partnership with the Downtown Moose Jaw Association to create an indigenous liaison position in this year’s budget
- Reached out and created a relationship with the New Southern Plains Metis Local 160
- Created a cultural planning committee and framework to develop a cultural plan for Moose Jaw
- Continued to speak and meet with first nations groups
- Supported the cultural centre initiative to create an office and home for the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association
The following groups will have off Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday:
- Moose Jaw Police Service
- Board of Police Commissioners
- Moose Jaw Fire Department
- CUPE Local 9
- UNIFOR Local 101R
- Out-of-scope staff
The council report noted that the loss of productivity due to this stat holiday would cost $83,323.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Sept. 12.
