National Thanadelthur Day on February 5

Summary#

This bill would designate February 5 each year as National Thanadelthur Day across Canada. It is a commemorative day that recognizes Thanadelthur, a Denesuline woman who helped make peace between the Denesuline and Cree during the early 1700s fur trade era (Preamble). The bill states the day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day (a day courts treat as not a business day) (Not a legal holiday clause).

• Creates a named day of observance each year on February 5 (National Thanadelthur Day clause).
• Does not create a paid holiday, school closure, or court closure (Not a legal holiday clause).
• Aims to raise awareness of Thanadelthur’s role as an interpreter, ambassador, and peacemaker (Preamble).
• Highlights contributions of Indigenous women in early Canadian history (Preamble).
• Applies nationwide, with observance left to individuals and institutions; no mandated activities appear in the bill text (National Thanadelthur Day clause).

What it means for you#

• Households:

  • Daily life stays the same; stores, services, and public offices remain open because it is not a legal holiday (Not a legal holiday clause).
  • You may see optional events or educational content about Thanadelthur on or around February 5 (Preamble).

• Workers:

  • No paid day off or special pay rules are created by this bill (Not a legal holiday clause).
  • Regular work schedules continue unless your employer chooses otherwise.

• Businesses:

  • No requirement to close or change operations. Normal business rules apply (Not a legal holiday clause).

• Schools and educators:

  • No mandated closures or curriculum changes.
  • Schools may choose to teach about Thanadelthur and the Cree–Denesuline peace process on or near February 5 (Preamble).

• Federal, provincial, territorial, and local governments:

  • No required programs or events. Any observance activities would be voluntary.
  • Court schedules are unaffected because the day is not a non-juridical day (Not a legal holiday clause).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: CAD $0 in mandated spending; Data unavailable for any discretionary observance costs.

• Fiscal note: Data unavailable.
• Appropriations in bill: None stated.
• Mandates on governments, businesses, or residents: None stated.
• Revenue or fee changes: None stated.
• Notes: The bill specifies the day is not a legal holiday or non-juridical day, which avoids automatic costs tied to closures or paid leave (Not a legal holiday clause).

Proponents' View#

• Honors an Indigenous woman whose efforts helped secure peace between the Denesuline and Cree during 1715–1716 and influenced northern trade (Preamble).
• Raises public awareness of a “little-known” historical figure and the role of Indigenous women in early Canadian history (Preamble).
• Provides a consistent national date that institutions can use for voluntary education and commemoration (National Thanadelthur Day clause).
• Keeps costs low because it does not create a statutory holiday or court closure (Not a legal holiday clause).
• Supports reconciliation and cross-cultural understanding by recognizing a peacemaker’s story grounded in the fur trade era (Preamble).

Opponents' View#

• Symbolic only: the bill does not change laws, services, or funding for Indigenous communities; it creates no programs or rights (bill text contains no mandates or appropriations).
• Limited practical impact: without required activities, observance depends on voluntary efforts by schools, governments, or communities (National Thanadelthur Day clause).
• Potential for public confusion: some may assume it is a holiday, even though the bill states it is not (Not a legal holiday clause).
• Commemorative-day fatigue: adding more observances could dilute attention and reduce engagement over time (general concern; no mandate in bill to ensure uptake).