The Federal Government has proposed a statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in recognition of the trauma caused by the residential school system.

The day was one of 94 calls to action proposed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which investigated claims of abuse from First Nations people in Canada during the time of the residential school system.

The residential school system saw children removed from their families and culture and placed into church run schools, where they faced physical, mental and sexual abuse.

Initially the Assembly of First Nations wanted the day to be held on June 21. Another proposed date may be September 30, which was near the time that children were separated from their families and sent to residential schools.

In 2015 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to enact all of the Truth and Reconciliation Comissions’ calls to action. There are 76 that fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.