From Catherine Dauvergne and Martin Pochurko | Province recognizes September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This message is sent on behalf of Catherine Dauvergne, vice-president academic and provost, and Martin Pochurko, vice-president finance and administration. It has been sent to all students, faculty and staff.

On August 3, the B.C. Government formally recognized September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in alignment with legislation passed by the federal government in June. This year, September 30 will be observed as a provincial and federal statutory holiday.

As part of this formal recognition, SFU will cancel all classes and suspend non-essential campus services on Thursday, September 30, 2021. University employees normally entitled to federal and provincial statutory holidays will receive this day off.

September 30 has recently been known as Orange Shirt Day, a day that is meant to recognize the tragic history of loss, and the lasting effects of Canada’s residential school system. It honours Indigenous residential school survivors, their families and communities as a vital part of the process of reconciliation.

As a public institution, SFU recognizes the importance of officially honouring September 30, consistent with the university’s ongoing commitments and actions to advance reconciliation, in partnership with Indigenous communities. This year, SFU’s annual campus-wide events and activities to commemorate Orange Shirt Day will take place during the week of September 27.

Planning for the statutory holiday closure and Orange Shirt Day programming is underway, more information will be shared in the weeks to come.

Sincerely,

Dr. Catherine Dauvergne, QC
Vice-President Academic and Provost

Martin Pochurko
Vice-President Finance and Administration