Canada Day marked with reflection on residential schools

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Shelburne marked Canada Day (July 1) differently this year, using scaled back celebrations to acknowledge and reflect on the long history of residential schools.

The call to pause Canada Day celebrations came in the wake of the discoveries of hundreds of unmarked grave sites at two former residential schools. In late May, the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found at a former residential school in B.C., while the discovery of over 750 unmarked graves is Saskatchewan was announced on June 24. 

On Canada Day evening families and groups arrived by the carload at Fiddle Park, as the Town moved ahead with its scheduled Canada Day Drive-In Movie Night, an event they held last year due to COVID-19 restriction. 

Instead of setting off traditional fireworks, this year a moment of acknowledgement and reflection was held for the victims and survivors of residential schools.

Julia Davies attended the Shelburne Drive-In movie last year with her family, and chose the return for the event this year. 

 “It was great, the kids really enjoyed it,” said Davies. “It's nice that Shelburne is offering something right out of lockdown.”

Davies told the Free Press she was glad the town had chosen a quiet moment of reflection in lieu of the annual fireworks. 

“It's something that hits a lot of people close to home, even people in this town, it's important they make it a part of Canada Day.” 

Krystina Latour, was attending a Shelburne Canada Day celebration with family for the first time, after moving to town from Brampton. 

“What they're going instead is more appropriate than doing the fireworks,” said Latour. “This is a time to unlearn and it's a sad part of history and we can't pretend that it's not happening because it is. They took a good direction keeping it going, but not doing such as big celebratory thing because it is Canada Day, but it's also an embarrassing time for Canadians.”

Shelburne Mayor Wade Mills posted a message on Facebook to community members challenging them to reflect what they can do personally to help work toward reconciliation. He included suggestions such as contacting the local MP and MPP about honouring the calls to action set out by Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, donating to charities promoting reconciliation, and education. 

Immediate support is available for those affected by the residential school system, the National Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419.