Apology to Former Students of Indian Residential Schools

June 23, 2008

On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, on behalf of Canadians, apologized to former students of Indian Residential Schools.  It was a moving and important moment in Canadian history as well as an important step toward healing and reconciliation.  

Aboriginal children were taken from their parents and placed in residential schools where the purpose of the program was to strip the aboriginal children of their culture and language.  This apology demonstrates that our government remains committed to a fair and lasting resolution to the Residential Schools era and to moving forward in partnership with Aboriginal people across Canada. 

I am proud of Prime Minister Harper and my government in showing leadership and taking responsibility.

I remember, as Mayor of Salmon Arm, signing the ‘Servicing Agreement’ between the Adams Lake Band and the City of Salmon Arm with Chief Ronnie Jules. After we signed the agreement Chief Jules shared with me his childhood memories on a reserve where his parents were subservient to the Indian Agent and church. He remembered a day when a bulldozer was delivered to the reserve wherein it began to level a small knoll for a new school house. Under the knoll was their community cemetery. As bones were uncovered, no one stopped digging and no one consulted his people.

While the Residential Schools apology was a truly historic moment, we continue to implement another historic agreement, the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.  It includes a Common Experience Payment, an Independent Assessment Process, Commemoration Activities, measures to support healing, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

We strongly believe that the ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ presents a unique opportunity to increase awareness among all Canadians about the Indian Residential Schools system.  It will be a positive step towards forging a new relationship between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians. 
Our government has done the right thing.  In my view, every Canadian should do their part to build a relationship and reconciliation between our aboriginal brothers and sisters in our communities. Love and respect can accomplish that in the spirit of reconciliation.  It’s time to travel together towards healing and reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

June 11th was a great day for Canada.

Colin Mayes, MP

Okanagan-Shuswap