[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am happy to be here for the presentation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is obvious we can have very little movement towards reconciliation without understanding the reason why people were stolen and the overall impact of the residential school.
Through its work, the commission has reached certain conclusions about the system of the residential school. The commission also asked Canadians to think about and look at the country differently. These are some hard truths, but this truth, this story leads us to look at what we have to think about. We can’t really build a true reconciliation without thinking about what really happened.
The conclusion of the commission reflects the impact of residential schools on children, on their families and on their Aboriginal culture. It also shows the repercussions that the residential schools have on our governance and our society. As Canadians, we must not forget what happened in our history and we must educate our children about the nature of Aboriginal societies and the residual effects of the residential school system. It’s going to take time and a lot of effort to be able to do that and learn about this past.
We had these residential schools for over a century. Millions of people were affected. A lot of Aboriginal people were affected negatively. We will need some time to re-establish respect and the healing for the number of people that were affected. If we could commit all Canadians, with the help of the Canadian government, we can work together to eliminate the separation and to lead our efforts to a successful conclusion.
I would like to leave you with a quote by the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, president of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, who summarized it magnificently: “The road that we’re going down has as much importance as the goal we’re trying to achieve. There is no shortcut. When we talk about truth and reconciliation, we must all go the full distance.”
I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to express myself in my native tongue.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
