Canada apologies to Native Americans

[almaty 19]

OTTAWA (AFP) - Canada's prime minister officially apologized to natives for more than a century of abuses at boarding schools set up to assimilate its indigenous peoples.

"The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in the House of Commons Wednesday.

"We are sorry."

Flanked by MPs, native leaders in traditional garments and Indian Residential School alumni, many holding back tears, Harper said: "The treatment of children in Indian Residential Schools is a sad chapter in our history."

He acknowledged "two primary objectives of the residential school system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their home, families, traditions, and cultures and to assimilate them in to the dominant culture.

"These objectives were based on the assumption that aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal," he said.

"The government now recognizes that the consequences of the Indian Residential Schools policy were profoundly negative and that this policy has had a lasting and damaging impact on aboriginal culture, heritage, and language."

Beginning in 1874, 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis children in Canada were forcibly enrolled in the 132 boarding schools run by Christian churches on behalf of the federal government in an effort to integrate them into society.

Many survivors alleged abuse by headmasters and teachers, who stripped them of their culture and language.

As well, they say their education left them disconnected from their families, communities and feeling "ashamed" of being born native.

It was "the darkest chapter in Canada's history," said Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations. "They tried to kill the Indian in the child, to eradicate any sense of Indian-ness from Canada," he told AFP.

Wearing an Indian feather headdress, his voice cracking, Fontaine told the House, following Harper: "The attempts to erase our identities hurt us deeply. But it also hurt all Canadians and impoverished the character of this nation."

"The memories of residential schools sometimes cut like merciless knives at our souls," he said. "But this day will help us to put that pain behind us."

"For the generations that will follow us, we bear witness today in this House that our survival as First Nations peoples in this land is affirmed forever."

"We still have to struggle, but now we are in this together," Fontaine said.

His words were echoed by native leaders who formed a "healing circle" with Fontaine and the oldest of the alumni, 104-year-old Marguerite Wabano of the Attawapiskat First Nation, on the floor of the House of Commons.

And they were cheered by tens of thousands gathered at community centres nationwide to watch the solemn telecast event.

"This apology will help us all mark the end of this dark period in our collective history as a nation," said Mary Simon, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and a former Canadian ambassador.

"It's a day for us to move forward," said Clement Chartier, president of the Metis National Council.

Later, the prime minister presented dignitaries with tea and tobacco, and participated in a native smudge ceremony, as Metis fiddles and Inuit drums played.

There are some 1.3 million aboriginals in Canada, out of a total population of 33 million.

Most of Canada's Indian Residential Schools, modeled after US Indian industrial schools of the period, were shut down in the 1970s. The last one closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan province.

The government's apology is part of a 1.9-billion dollar (Canadian, US) settlement with 80,000 former students in 2006 -- the largest court settlement in Canadian history.

A five-year commission headed by Canada's top aboriginal jurist was also appointed in April to probe abuses at the schools, as part of the deal.

It plans to hear testimony from thousands of survivors and officials, as well as gather and review millions of government and church documents to be made public for the first time.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

maybe we should move this to the canada regional forum

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Sure. If any post about Islam gets moved to MENA (even though Indonesia and India have the first and second highest numbers of Muslims in the world), then this should be moved to Canada

[almaty 19]

nah, i do not see the United States doing the same....divided the western lands up and each reservation had a religion assigned to it..and kids carted off to Utah and other palces..and got the same or worse treatment.

[Carlawarla 1]

Isn't news to Canadians, so I don't know why you'd post it there. I applaud the long awaited "official" apology for the years of atrocities. Maybe it's time for the US to own up to it's own as well to First Nations people.

[almaty 19]

Isn't news to Canadians, so I don't know why you'd post it there. I applaud the long awaited "official" apology for the years of atrocities. Maybe it's time for the US to own up to it's own as well to First Nations people.

[Nagishkaw 510]

It would take more than an apology. Pffftttt.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Isn't news to Canadians, so I don't know why you'd post it there. I applaud the long awaited "official" apology for the years of atrocities. Maybe it's time for the US to own up to it's own as well to First Nations people.

it's about time them canadians owned up to their evil ways!

[MrsCat 6]

My grandparents went to residential schools and this apology was exceptionally meaningful to everyone in our family.

The Canadian and American approach to Aborigals and Indians is vastly different (despite some similarities like the use of reservations).

Aside from smallpox, nothing has had more damaging effects on Aboriginal culture than residential schools. Its a sad part of our history - however yesterday marked a significant turning point in Canadian and Aboriginal history - a point where the two cultures have converged - sought and gave forgiveness - and now move forward.

[almaty 19]

It would take more than an apology. Pffftttt.

well stated, sister mocassin..

[Carlawarla 1]

It would take more than an apology. Pffftttt.

Of course it does. I don't know that anything would suffice for the abhorant behaviour that Canadians subjected First Nations people to, and still do. Their has been record number of land claims, self government, and federal monies paid out in lawsuits to help in some way as well. I think a huge part is taking responsibility and stepping up to the plate. I know a number of First Nations people who could give a hoot about the money and anything else the gov't has offered thus far....all they want is acknowledgement of the hurt that was caused them, and an apology is most welcomed.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

It would take more than an apology. Pffftttt.

Of course it does. I don't know that anything would suffice for the abhorant behaviour that Canadians subjected First Nations people to, and still do. Their has been record number of land claims, self government, and federal monies paid out in lawsuits to help in some way as well. I think a huge part is taking responsibility and stepping up to the plate. I know a number of First Nations people who could give a hoot about the money and anything else the gov't has offered thus far....all they want is acknowledgement of the hurt that was caused them, and an apology is most welcomed.

canada should give free tim horton's to native americans for life.

[MrsCat 6]

It would take more than an apology. Pffftttt.

Of course it does. I don't know that anything would suffice for the abhorant behaviour that Canadians subjected First Nations people to, and still do. Their has been record number of land claims, self government, and federal monies paid out in lawsuits to help in some way as well. I think a huge part is taking responsibility and stepping up to the plate. I know a number of First Nations people who could give a hoot about the money and anything else the gov't has offered thus far....all they want is acknowledgement of the hurt that was caused them, and an apology is most welcomed.

I agree Carla. This motion was more meaningful for a multitude of reasons. The most of which is that this whole process has been consistent with Aboriginal values of reconcilitation and collectiveness. The Truth Commission where individiauls are afforded the opportunity to tell their truths without judgment - with a view to healing and reconciliation means more than any payment or fault found by a third party.

All the means to address this part of our history which involve the courts and liability mean little to a simple apology. An apology means claiming a part of the blame and seeking forgiveness. It doesn't need to come at a price - just internal reflection of a historical wrong. The apology came as a reflection of a nation standing through its government and saying - we're sorry. This was an appropriate way to move forward.

Lawsuits and settlements are about assigning blame and pitting sides against each other. There will always be a time and place for the use of lawyers - settlement issues, treaty rights, fishing/hunting/gaming rights, land entitlement . . . . these are not the same as a historical wrong. These are capable of being quantified, measured and studied. Feelings of dignity, pride, history, and self-worth are immeasureable.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I listened to Phil Fontaine being interviewed yesterday on NPR about the apology. As he said, the apology won't take away the pain, it won't right the wrong, nor will it erase the years of abuse and degradation - but it will allow a start for these things to begin. It is an acknowledgment that Canada's First Nations were treated abominably by the governments of the time, that they were wrong to try and eradicate the First Nation's cultures, and to try and assimilate their children into the 'accepted' societal paradigm. It is a recognition that First Nations are a valuable component of Canadian society, both past and present. I was pleased that the apology was offered - and it was accepted. There are still a lot of rocks on that road ahead, but one of the biggest stumbling blocks has been removed.

Edited June 12, 2008 by Kathryn41