National Day of Reconciliation
Today marks the one year anniversary of the Indian Residential School system apology from the Government of Canada. This apology was made by Prime Minister Harper in the House of Commons, and followed by apologies from each of the leaders of their parties, and was received by members of first nations, Métis, and Inuit leaders, elders, residential school survivors and children in the House of Commons on June 11th, 2008. This was a historic day for everyone involved, and today’s anniversary is no less significant. Today we must reflect on the atrocities committed towards our aboriginal populations, and restate the vows made by our leaders one year ago that those atrocities will never happen again. We should also review the changes made over the past year to improve attitudes of Canadians towards our First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations.
An apology is only as good as the actions which follow it, and I am deeply moved to be able to participate in today’s events in support of Canada’s aboriginal peoples and their efforts, combined with those of the government, to strengthen the Canadian mosaic instead of depriving these vibrant communities of their traditional cultures as was done for so many years.
It is my hope that all Canadians will reflect today on the terrors that were forcibly inflicted upon our First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations for so long. We should feel privileged to live in a society where this sort of treatment is no longer tolerated, and where individual cultures and traditions are encouraged to thrive.
