Carleton University must follow the lead of the federal government, Queen’s University and other major institutions by pausing regular activities on Sept. 30.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) and its significance for Indigenous Peoples should be the university’s foremost priority.
According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, late September aligns with when Indigenous children were ripped from their homes and sent to residential schools, casting a long shadow over Indigenous communities as the school year begins.
It is a day loaded with history and intergenerational trauma, and Carleton must not expect Indigenous community members to treat it like any other Monday.
Indigenous students, faculty and staff at Carleton will lack vital space to connect and mourn if they are forced to sit through classes.
Further, mandatory classes would restrict non-Indigenous community members from engaging with Indigenous voices and experiences on a day when their calls to action are especially loud.
This year, Carleton is presenting thoughtful programming for NDTR, including a panel discussion on Indigenous allyship.
But those efforts will unfortunately fall short if members of the Carleton community are unable to attend out of fear of academic or professional repercussions.
Out of respect and acknowledgement of Canada’s dark history, Carleton should make the compassionate, trauma-informed and responsible call to cancel classes on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Otherwise, the university risks making a painful day even harder for Indigenous Peoples.
