There will be no celebrations in the Town of Yarmouth on Canada Day.
Instead, July 1st will be a ‘Day of Reflection.’
Mayor Pam Mood says it’s to pay respect to Indigenous communities here and across Canada, in the wake of mass unmarked graves, many of them children, being discovered at former residential schools sites.
She says it’s a time to reflect on relationships.
“It’s a time for us to sit back, reflect on our relationships, and acknowledge the past. We need to commit to being better allies, better educate ourselves, and have those conversations. We have so much to learn,” said Mood.
A breakfast that normally takes place on Canada Day will now happen Saturday morning.
Mood says it didn’t feel right to host any events on Thursday.
“We can’t even pretend to understand the pain that’s been endured, and continues to be endured by our friends and our neighbours, especially here at Acadia First Nation. But we continue to stand with them.”
