National Day for Truth and Reconciliation should be a solemn day to reflect, says author

Three First Nations women say Canadians should take time on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 to reflect on their history and participate in events.

“I really think it needs to be considered in the same vein as Remembrance Day,” said Michelle Good, author of the award-winning book Five Little Indians, which chronicles the journey of five residential school survivors.

“It’s a solemn day and there should be events associated with it that reflect that solemnity and I really hope there will be,” she said.

Good, who is from Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, said her mother,