Conservatives Must Allow Aboriginal Leadership to Speak to Apology

June 9, 2008

OTTAWA – The Conservative government must commit to allow residential school survivors and Aboriginal leaders to address the apology in the House of Commons, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville said today.“Given the importance this apology will have on future relations between First Nations, Métis and Inuit and the government, there is no excuse for the Conservatives to deny Aboriginal leaders and survivors the opportunity to respond,” said Ms. Neville.

“Part of the apology process is that an apology be accepted. Out of respect, the Conservatives should introduce a motion to allow victims an opportunity to accept and speak to this apology in the House of Commons,” she said. “Survivors are coming to Ottawa for this momentous occasion. They should not be left voiceless.”

Details of the apology have been trickling out in lead up to the official apology in Parliament, but the government has yet to share the text of the apology with survivors and Aboriginal organizations.

“By now Aboriginal leaders and survivors should be aware of the text of the apology. It is disrespectful that the Harper Conservatives would expect survivors and Aboriginal leaders to just accept what it dishes out,” said Ms. Neville.

In order to truly have national impact the apology must include present and former national leaders as well as survivors and Aboriginal leadership, added Ms. Neville.

“As a true gesture of respect and reconciliation to the survivors and their families, the government must extend an official invitation to the apology to all former Canadian prime ministers, the Governor General, members of the Supreme Court and Senate, added Ms. Neville.

“The statement of apology should be a historic day. However it must be done right and with respect.”