SAIT called out by union for having staff work on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
SAIT will give students the day off on Sept. 30 but is asking employees to come in, says AUPE
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The union representing workers at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology is criticizing the school for reversing its approach from last year on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, asking staff to come in despite giving students the day off.
“It’s difficult to understand why SAIT no longer thinks it’s appropriate to take the day to contemplate the need for truth and reconciliation,” said Bobby-Joe Borodey, vice-president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
“Does SAIT really think there has been enough truth, enough reconciliation in the last year? What has changed in the last 12 months?”
In a note on its website, SAIT says classes and labs are cancelled for the Sept. 30 statutory holiday, which was introduced last year to honour Indigenous people who survived residential schools and commemorate those who never made it home.
“Students are encouraged to spend the day learning, thinking deeply and reflecting on the meaning of Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” it reads.
According to AUPE, that doesn’t extend to the school’s employees. The union called for the school to “rethink its decision” and again mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday for workers, as it did last year.
“AUPE members have been told they can attend truth and reconciliation events, but those events have to be approved by managers and members must be at work before and after the events,” said Borodey.
“We can think of no good reason to change from last year or to treat students differently from workers. Canada will not achieve truth and reconciliation as long as institutions like SAIT continue to downplay the seriousness of what happened to Indigenous people in this country and what we need to do to move forward.”
In a written statement to Postmedia, SAIT confirmed that the school will remain open Sept. 30, but the day will be focused on “reflection and learning.” The school said employees are free to attend whatever events they desire without approval from their managers, contrary to what the union stated.
“Our intention is for our students and employees to set aside regular duties for the day and participate in activities — whether at SAIT, or throughout the city, and to take advantage of the online learning resources available,” reads the statement.
“To be clear, our leaders have been asked to release employees from their normal duties to engage in development activities in observance of the day.”
SAIT is also hosting two events for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on campus: an intercultural forum on the story of Orange Shirt Day and a survivor storytelling and discussion panel, hosted by a residential school survivor.
The University of Calgary is hosting a few events to commemorate the day, but on its website it notes the university will be “closed” on Sept. 30. Mount Royal University is also giving its staff and students the day off, but has a series of events planned as part of its “Journey to Indigenization” between Sept. 22 and Oct. 4.
Calgary Board of Education schools and offices will close for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as will Calgary Catholic School District institutions.
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
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