Go to page content

‘Unacceptable colonial associations’

Discovery Day name failed to recognize Indigenous Peoples and historical realities

Campus and Community

At its June 9, 2020, meeting, Vice-Presidents Council approved the university’s discontinuance of the name of the June holiday most recently known as Discovery Day.

Effective immediately, the university will reference the June 24 holiday as June Day.

President Vianne Timmons advised the university’s Senate about the decision later that day.

“The name Discovery Day had a host of unacceptable colonial associations that failed to recognize Indigenous Peoples and historical realities so its continued use was problematic,” explained Dr. Timmons.

University units are asked to ensure the holiday name is changed across all mediums.


To receive news from Memorial in your inbox, subscribe to Gazette Now.


Latest News

Digging up history

What do a fossil, a comet and Beothuk history have in common?

Focusing on our academic mission

Board of Regents approves real estate divestment

Call for applications

Conference Fund support available to university community

Storm closure

St. John's, Marine Institute and Signal Hill campuses will close at 1 p.m.

‘Start to finish’

Memorial medical research team included in Arthritis Society Canada's Top 10 list

Aquarena reopening set

Registration for winter programming opens Feb. 9