Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said Saturday that Canada’s education system should place greater emphasis on Indigenous history and languages, as she spoke at a National Truth and Reconciliation Day event on Parliament Hill.
“We need a more unified system of how we give the full story of Canada, especially in relation to Indigenous and first peoples of this country,” Simon said.
National Truth and Reconciliation Day, a federal statutory holiday, recognizes the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and its harms to Indigenous Peoples. It was introduced in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action.
Simon said that during her travels as Governor General, she is often asked about her perspective on reconciliation. She noted it is important that rhetoric was accompanied by concrete action.
“I’m seeing every day how complex it is, what is confronting us as a country,” she said. Closing the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in terms of infrastructure, health care and education would require hard work, she added.
“It takes a long time, these things. And I understand and fully sympathize with those that are at home in small communities [who] are continuing to suffer the inequities,” she said.
“I think it’s important to remember that even though we’re making progress on bigger issues, it’s not necessarily having an impact at the community level.”
People are gathering in communities across the country to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The prime minister is in La Ronge, Sask., participating in events, beginning with a march.
CBC News: The House13:11What is residential school ‘denialism’ and should it be banned?
The discovery of possible unmarked graves on the site of several former residential schools shook many Canadians, but some Indigenous academics fear it has also led to a backlash: people misrepresenting facts or dismissing the harms of residential schools. CBC’s Olivia Stefanovich has a special report on what’s being called residential school denialism — and whether anything should be done about it.
“We must never forget the past and the injustices committed against Indigenous Peoples at residential schools, as well as the intergenerational trauma that remains today,” Trudeau said Saturday in a written statement. “Right now, with denialism sadly on the rise, uncovering the whole truth is more important than ever.”
Responding to a question from CBC News on Parliament Hill Saturday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the event was “a very special day for all Canadians to reflect on the wrongs of the past, to promote reconciliation and to honour the first peoples from coast to coast to coast.”
Speakers at the Parliament Hill event highlighted residential school survivors and Indigenous elders, who discussed their experiences as well as their hopes for the future.
“The challenge now is what do we do to have good relations? What do we do to restore respectful relationships? How do we advance true reconciliation?” said Chief Willie Littlechild, a residential school survivor and former commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“The residential school system was intended to destroy First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, and our languages, but they did not succeed,” said Stephanie Scott, head of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. She called for the government to greenlight additional disclosures of documents related to the residential school system.
In a statement, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the day was an opportunity for Canadians to learn and reflect on the past.
“Only by confronting this history can we commit to a future where all children can prosper,” he said.
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour service at 1-866-925-4419.
Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat.