Indigenous leaders frustrated by provincial holiday for Queen's funeral
CBC
Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick are criticizing the province's decision to hold a holiday for Queen Elizabeth's funeral while Truth and Reconciliation Day hasn't received the same treatment.
On Sept. 19, schools and government offices will be closed for a national day of mourning, although the holiday is optional for the private sector.
Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) said there are many Indigenous people who deserve mourning.
"When it comes to honouring, you know, the deceased, you know, for us, thousands of Indigenous children were murdered. And thousands of residential school survivors are still alive," Perley said. "And we can't have a day here in New Brunswick, a holiday here in New Brunswick, to honour and reflect and remember them."
WATCH | New Brunswick declares holiday for Queen's funeral but not for Truth and Reconciliation Day:
Chief Allan Polchies Jr. of Sitansisk (St. Mary's First Nation) said he holds no ill feelings toward New Brunswickers who want to mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth.
"We can respect the loss of a leader, as is expected when engaged in a nation-to-nation relationship," Polchies said. "However, it sends an odd message about the priorities of the provincial government here in New Brunswick, in deciding to hold a day of mourning to a figurehead of colonialism, but not for the countless children who were taken away from their homes and never returned to their families."
St. Mary's administrative office will remain open and operational on Sept. 19, but will be closed on Sept. 30 for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
"We don't follow colonialism," Polchies said.
Perley said his community will also not observe the Sept. 19 holiday.
CBC News requested a statement from the provincial government regarding these concerns, but did not receive one in time for publication.
In June, the province passed a motion to recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day, but it did not include mention that New Brunswickers live on unceded and unsurrendered Wolastoqey territory, which both Polchies and Perley criticized.
Perley said because of the way they've been treated in the past, the Indigenous community isn't surprised by the holiday for the Queen.
"We kind of expected these types of decisions and there — it just goes to show the racial bias that the provincial government has against Indigenous peoples," he said.
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