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The federal government recently approved a new federal holiday for September 30 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was optional for Alberta schools. FFCA originally decided to maintain this date as an instructional day and incorporate the spirit of reconciliation by adding learning activities focused on honouring the survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.
Upon further consideration, and in response to the requests of the Alberta Assembly of First Nations, the guidance of our local Indigenous Elders, and in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Committee Calls to Action, the FFCA Board of Directors has decided to make September 30 a school holiday for both students and staff. The establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a school holiday at FFCA highlights our school’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation; a commitment which we will continue to make through focused learning activities during the days leading up to September 30, including an all-campus Orange Shirt Day on September 29. In this way, we hope to emphasize the importance of this day as more than just another holiday, but as a genuine day of reflection.
As a result of this decision, the FFCA 2021-22 school calendar will be changed to incorporate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by making September 30 a school holiday for all staff and students. November 26 will change from a professional development day to an instructional day at all campuses. This change will reduce the number of professional development days for staff by one but maintain the students' number of instructional days. The Board recognizes that a change to our school calendar on short notice may create challenges for some families. We ask for your understanding and support and to be united as the FFCA community to promote and advance reconciliation.
We encourage all of our FFCA staff, students and their families to take time on this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to reflect upon and honour the truth of our shared history with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada.