For a second year, the offices will close daily operations on September 30 to enable staff to commemorate the day with study, reflection and community activities dedicated to further both personal and collective reconciliation.
“Acknowledging the traumatic intergenerational impact the residential school system had, and continues to have, on thousands of Indigenous children and their families is an important step toward genuine reconciliation,” said Peter Sherstan, acting in the role of Alberta’s Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner since July 2022. “On Friday, we will close and by doing so, empower our staff with the time to actively pursue the next step on their reconciliation journey.”
Together, the staff across both offices are working to improve services for Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, #57:
“We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.”
If you or someone you know is a member of an Indigenous community and you have taken your complaint up the chain as far as you know how, we may be able to help. To get in touch, call our toll-free number at 1.888.455.2756.
