In recognition of this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Office of the Ombudsperson will be closed on Thursday, September 30th.

September 30th is an opportunity for First Nations, governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation; it creates hope for generations of children to come, and it fosters meaningful discussion about the effects of residential schools. It’s a day to honour survivors and to embrace a future where the healing of Indigenous peoples is a priority for all Canadians.

This is a day for us to reflect on what we can do in our personal lives as well as in our work to continually learn and grow in our journey towards reconciliation and to support Indigenous led solutions. We need to support the advancement of Indigenous knowledge and leadership to redress intergenerational trauma and the ongoing impacts of settler colonial practices, policies and beliefs.

With a mandate to ensure all British Columbians are treated fairly by local and provincial public authorities, we are committed to looking at our own services and will work to continually improve and adapt to best meet the needs of Indigenous people who turn to us for help.

We must be dedicated to this work and come from a place of humility. Together we can do better in ensuring a more fair, just and equitable future. Join us by reflecting on this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.