Fredericton – David Coon, MLA for Fredericton South and Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick issued the following statement in recognition of National Aboriginal Day:

“Today is National Aboriginal Day. Two years ago, this month the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released 94 calls to action for governments and educational institutions to begin down the road of reconciliation with First Nations.

Universities across our province have been responding, but our provincial government has been silent on its efforts. Implementing the TRC Calls to Action in New Brunswick is a first step toward reconciliation. This is not an indigenous issue, this is a societal issue for all New Brunswickers. Premier Gallant needs to break his silence and tell New Brunswickers how he intends to lead our Province down a path of reconciliation with the Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy and Mi’kmaq peoples.

My bill to amend the Education Act to mandate the inclusion of First Nations culture and history in public school curricula passed with the support of all parties in the Legislature. This implements one of the TRC Calls to Action. It’s a start, but 93 Calls to Action remain to be acted upon.”