Indigenous leader in London disappointed National Day for Truth and Reconciliation isn't Ontario holiday

London's Indigenous community liaison adviser has added her voice to criticism Ontario isn'tgiving employees the dayoff to observe Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

"It was very disappointing because you see all over the allyship from everybody, from our non-Indigenous allies and everyone who sees how important it is,"Alizabeth George-Antone said about the province'sdecision not to make Sept. 30 a provincialholiday.

While the federal government legislatedthe day as a statutory holiday, provinces and businesses aren't required to recognizeit as such.

Ontario says it will observethe day without making it a provincialholiday.

Holiday meant to honour survivors, families

George-Antone, who supports the City of London'splan to mark the date as a holidayand close municipal facilities, believes this is how government can show respect.

Londoncity hall willbe lit up with orange lights with an"Every Child Matters" flag raised. Other downtown buildings, including the Tourism London location, will also be illuminated.

Theholiday is one of the calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which asked for a federal statutory holidayto "honour survivors, their familiesand communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process."

For George-Antone, it's a personal issue.

She has family who went to residential schools, including her father, aunts, uncles and grandparents. She said she hadalways been aware of the atrocities faced by Indigenouspeople, butfelt they were "shoved under the rug" or seen as unimportant.

Adrian Chrisjohn, chiefof Oneida Nation of the Thames, sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford on Sept. 13 to ask Ontarioto reconsider its decision not to consider the day as a statutory holiday. Three days later, he received a response via email.

"There was a response from the premier's office saying that there's a potential meeting with Minister Greg Rickford coming soon," Chrisjohnsaid Wednesday.

"To date, there's been no meeting andno conversation has happened. So very little response."

Ont.to reflect onresidential schools' 'tragic history'

Rickford is the Ontario minister of Indigenous affairs. When CBCasked his office about next steps, specific questions went unanswered.

In a statement, a spokesperson said, "The Ontario public service will be observing September 30, 2021, as a day of commemoration to reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools."

George-Antone still sees this as an educational opportunity.

"I think that hopefully this is something that the provincial government can work on, and maybe we can help get it recognized for future years."