Generations reflect on what Truth and Reconciliation is in Windsor-Essex

For the first time the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are taking time to find a way to recognize the past and find a way to move forward together.

In previous years, the day has been known as Orange Shirt Day. A time to honour the children who have lost their lives at residential schools and honour the survivors, families and communities that are still affected. 

Theresa Sims, an Elder and culture and language specialist for Ska:na Family Learning Centre, said she will spend the day thinking about her mother and father who were both in residential schools.

"It's probably going to be tears," Sims said. "It's my family history."

The statutory holiday gives federally regulated companies that operate under the Canada Labour Code along with federal public service workers a day off. Sims said for Indigenous people, it isn't.

"[It's a holiday] for the federal government, but they were the ones that started the residential schools, they started the Indian Act," she said. "We don't get a holiday, we actually have to educate people on this day."

"It's good to know that people do care and they do care about how things were stripped away," said Sakoya Yen, a Grade 9 student who is a member of Bear Clan.