Debates of May 19, 2011 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories declared May 26th a National Day of Healing and Reconciliation. It is still the only Legislature in Canada to recognize the day and acknowledge the abuse suffered by well over 10,000 Aboriginal children in residential schools in the North alone. Of the 150,000 students, there are 80,000 students living today.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recently travelled to the Northwest Territories, giving voice to residential school survivors and other community members. Tulita hosted a very powerful meeting on May 10th, as did other communities in the North. From June 28th to July 1st, the commission will hold a national event in Inuvik.

We, as a nation, as a family and a community, are on a path towards healing and reconciliation. Many people still struggle from the effects of past federal government policies and turn to addiction, violence and suicide for the past wrongs they have suffered at the hands of their caretakers.

Mr. Speaker, the assault of the residential school, a policy of the Government of Canada to separate families and kill the Indian in the child, was an economic partnership between the churches and the federal government to implement the Gradual Civilization Act and to force the idea of British superiority on the Aboriginal people. If they did not live like them, there would be punishment; punishment for speaking your own language, practicing your way of honouring life and, God forbid, dance to your own music.

There is a term for this, it’s called cultural genocide.

How do we heal from the past done wrong to my people and to a nation that only knew how to live as they were first instructed by the Creator who made this land? You acknowledge it. You get past denial and say I’m sorry, and offer leave for forgiveness and peace and reconciliation.

Finally, on June 11, 2008, Canada did the impossible. It said, I’m sorry. Prime Minister Harper offered a formal apology on behalf of the federal government that imposed the policy of aggressive assimilation of the First Peoples of Canada.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

This apology gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, we can begin a new chapter in the history of our country.

From living in the bush we know life can be different, a far cry from now what we experience in our communities.

On May 26th I encourage people across Canada and the Northwest Territories to pray and to think about the healing process and the work towards reconciliation that we all need to do.

It is an honour to stand here and say thank you for being the first and only government in our land to support survivors by giving them this date to help them. Imagine what it would be like if we all learned to accept apologies and helped each other to heal wounds and restore spirit and dignity in our people.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.