Some Long Unfinished business is finally addressed.
A shameful legacy in Canadian history is being acknowledged today. Let's hope it leads to reconciliation and new future for Canada and its aboriginal peoples.
From Cape Breton Post
11/06/08
Canada apologizes for trying to ’kill the Indian in the child’
After more than a century of torment that saw the federal government strive to silence their languages and snuff their culture, aboriginal people packed Parliament to hear the prime minister say it for all Canadians: “We are sorry.”
Stephen Harper made the historic apology Wednesday in the House of Commons for generations of racist policy meant to “kill the Indian in the child.”
Eleven aboriginal guests of honour sat before him on chairs arranged in a native restitution circle, some trembling with emotion.
Above them, survivors of unspeakable abuse in federal schools geared to “Christianize” them clasped each other’s hands, bowed their heads, and cried.
“The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history,” Harper told the extraordinary session of the Commons, reading from a text he helped draft with input from native advisers.
“The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal Peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry.”
Applause repeatedly rained down on aging survivors of the church-run schools as they sat a few steps from Harper.
But the most thunderous ovation was reserved for Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine, who endured repeated sexual attacks as a little boy at the Fort Alexander residential school in Manitoba.
Wearing full Ojibway regalia and headdress, Fontaine was belatedly allowed to respond to the apology in the Commons after days of contentious resistance by the Conservatives. He made it one of his finest moments.
“Brave survivors, through telling their stories, have stripped white supremacy of its legitimacy,” he said to jubilant shouts and the rhythm of drumbeats. “Never again will this House consider us the Indian Problem just for being who we are.
“We are, and always have been, an indispensable part of the Canadian identity.”"Finally, we heard Canada say it is sorry," Fontaine said.
Fontaine said. "We heard the government of Canada take full responsibility."
He said the apology will go a long way toward repairing the relationship between aboriginals and the rest of Canada.
11/06/08
Canada apologizes for trying to ’kill the Indian in the child’
After more than a century of torment that saw the federal government strive to silence their languages and snuff their culture, aboriginal people packed Parliament to hear the prime minister say it for all Canadians: “We are sorry.”
Stephen Harper made the historic apology Wednesday in the House of Commons for generations of racist policy meant to “kill the Indian in the child.”
Eleven aboriginal guests of honour sat before him on chairs arranged in a native restitution circle, some trembling with emotion.
Above them, survivors of unspeakable abuse in federal schools geared to “Christianize” them clasped each other’s hands, bowed their heads, and cried.
“The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history,” Harper told the extraordinary session of the Commons, reading from a text he helped draft with input from native advisers.
“The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal Peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry.”
Applause repeatedly rained down on aging survivors of the church-run schools as they sat a few steps from Harper.
But the most thunderous ovation was reserved for Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine, who endured repeated sexual attacks as a little boy at the Fort Alexander residential school in Manitoba.
Wearing full Ojibway regalia and headdress, Fontaine was belatedly allowed to respond to the apology in the Commons after days of contentious resistance by the Conservatives. He made it one of his finest moments.
“Brave survivors, through telling their stories, have stripped white supremacy of its legitimacy,” he said to jubilant shouts and the rhythm of drumbeats. “Never again will this House consider us the Indian Problem just for being who we are.
“We are, and always have been, an indispensable part of the Canadian identity.”"Finally, we heard Canada say it is sorry," Fontaine said.
Fontaine said. "We heard the government of Canada take full responsibility."
He said the apology will go a long way toward repairing the relationship between aboriginals and the rest of Canada.
"Prime Minister, Chief Justice, members of the House, elders, survivors, Canadians, for our parents, our grandparents, great grandparents, indeed for all of the generations which have preceded us, this day testifies to nothing less than the achievement of the impossible."
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