Dr. Meghan Beals says she wants CanadaB次元官网网址檚 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to resemble Remembrance Day.

The Prince Edward Island physician is one of five young Indigenous leaders who were in Ottawa Monday to speak to a Senate committee ahead of the federal statutory holiday this Friday.

Beals told senators that the day should include a moment of silence to remember the past and feature events in communities across the country to celebrate Indigenous PeoplesB次元官网网址� contributions to Canada.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 really how I would see Truth and Reconciliation Day, is having something that during that day, we have community events, ceremonial events,B次元官网网址� she told senators.

She suggested that at 10 a.m., people could take a moment of silence B次元官网网址渇or the children who have been found, or for lost individuals.B次元官网网址�

She said it would also be important for Indigenous communities to spend time on that day B次元官网网址渃elebrating our culture.B次元官网网址�

After their testimony to the SenateB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous Peoples committee, the young leaders were expected to meet with senators who are examining the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis people.

Friday marks the anniversary of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, meant to honour victims and survivors of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 residential schools system.

Federal public servants and people who work in federally regulated sectors will get the day off, but most provinces have not recognized the day as a statutory holiday.

B次元官网网址擠avid Fraser, The Canadian Press