The following has been sent on behalf of Dawn Thomas, Vice President, Indigenous Health & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Sharon Torgerson, Vice President, People
June 14, 2022
Update: September 30, 2022 Statutory Holiday for Truth & Reconciliation
WHAT IS HAPPENING
June is National Indigenous History month – a time for all of us to reflect on the unique histories, sacrifices, cultures, contributions and strengths of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Through understanding our past, we can collectively envision a brighter future.
While this month offers rich opportunities for learning, we also look to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an important step toward reconciliation and Island Health is committed to understanding the truth of our shared history and to further reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
As we did in 2021, Island Health will again recognize September 30, 2022 as a paid holiday for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
In recent years, September 30 has been known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a day to honour and hold up the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families, to engage in meaningful discussions about this history and legacy of the residential school system. Orange Shirt Day has become an important opportunity to open up dialogue on Indigenous specific racism and the systemic harms Indigenous Peoples experience due to colonialism.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The BC Government has informed all provincial public sector employers, including health authorities in BC, to once again recognize September 30, 2022 as a statutory day for remembrance. Island Health will follow the same process as last year for employees who are normally entitled to federal and provincial statutory days. This includes all regular full-time employees who are eligible to receive a scheduled day off as a paid holiday on September 30, 2022, or another scheduled day off in-lieu. As with other statutory days, essential services that people depend on will continue to operate in places where required.