Over 10,000 Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people walked through the streets of Ottawa past the Parliament Buildings. Similar marches were held in cities across Canada as thousands marched in the Walks for Reconciliation. TRC Chairperson Justice Murray Sinclair stated that the work of reconciliation "...must be done in partnership."
Over 10,000 Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people walked through the streets of Ottawa past the Parliament Buildings. Similar marches were held in cities across Canada as thousands marched in the Walks for Reconciliation. TRC Chairperson Justice Murray Sinclair stated that the work of reconciliation "...must be done in partnership."
OTTAWA, ON-The last week of May and first week of June were set aside for a national gathering of Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people who came together to pay their respects and honor the fallen-over 6,000 Native children and youth who died in Residential Schools over a period of about 150 years. It was also a time to listen, reflect, to apologize and to forgive and to learn how to begin the long process of healing.
Over ten thousand marched through the streets of Canada's capital city past the Parliament Buildings. This march was mirrored across Canada in Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and elsewhere as residential school survivors, descendants and supporters walked in Walks for Reconciliation.
The atmosphere around the walk was one of optimism and warmth according to the Winnipeg Free Press.
The following day, the Commission presented its final report.
"My fellow commissioners and I are convinced that for healing and reconciliation to happen in this country, such work must be done as a high-and, in some cases, urgent-priority, TRC Chairperson Justice Murray Sinclair stated. "And it must be done in partnership."
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Balcourt and Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq were in attendance. Balcourt stated that the government was committed to "resolving the legacy of residential schools in Canada."
Many were there as honorary witnesses including University of Winnipeg's Wab Kinew whose father experienced those schools as a child. Kinew, also a media commentator, stated that in order for reconciliation to move forward, it must involve all Canadians in some way.
Olympian Clara Hughes, also chosen as an honorary witness, called on Canadians to learn from the TRC and make a pledge that "the real dark history of our country, that most of us aren't taught in school, that we never forget it and we never ever let it happen to anybody on this soil ever again."
The Truth and Reconcilation Summit wrapped up with Commission Chairperson Justice Murray Sinclair presenting the final report on the TRC report. "Never forget this day," Justice Sinclair told the crowd gathered outside Ottawa's City Hall. "This is the day we begin to change the history of this country."
Churches across Canada ran their bells in unison in an effort to draw attention to this historic event.
"Reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem," Sinclair said. "It is a Canadian problem."
The goal of this report was, among others to acknowledge the Residential School legacy. It was also to provide a safe place for survivors to talk about their experiences and to promote awareness of this school system. Most important was to create a record for future educational purposes.
Sinclair told the Free Press he didn't expect the current federal government to take much action on the TRC report. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in attendance at the closing ceremony at Rideau Hall. He was joined by leaders from the Anglican and Roman Catholic Church, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Terry Audia, AFN Chief Perry Bellegarde, Justice Sinclair, as well as Canada's Governor General David Johnston. (Rideau Hall is the official residence of the governor general.)
Over 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were taken from their homes and forced to attend residential schools where they were forbidden to speak their languages and taught that their culture was inferior or evil. Thousands of these students were abused physically, emotionally, and sexually. Many never returned home.
