TRC Final Report A Roadmap to Move from Apology to Action

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) welcomes the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) final report that calls on the Government of Canada to confront the ‘cultural genocide’ of the Indian Residential School system and move from apology to action for reconciliation with Aboriginal Peoples.

“We welcome the TRC’s final report and we thank the Commissioners for their exemplary and exhaustive investigation which, while painful for the survivors and the families of those we have lost, has finally exposed the truth behind an assimilation program that was nothing short of cultural genocide,” said Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose, who attended the report’s release in Ottawa today. “We are encouraged that the Prime Minister has committed to the implementation of all of the TRC’s recommendations and we look forward to hearing his government’s plan to work with us on the path forward.”

The final report presented today by Justice Murray Sinclair builds on key recommendations of the 2012 interim report including nationwide education, healing and cultural revival programs and funding for health and wellness centres and culturally appropriate treatment systems. This includes new and revised legislation for education, child welfare and Aboriginal language that will protect children, strengthen families, restore traditional languages and allow First Nations to reconnect with culture and traditional ways of life.

A summary of the final report and 94 recommendations were released on June 2, 2015. It recommended a national public inquiry to examine missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

“Nothing can erase the devastating impacts of the Indian Residential School system but we hope this report will serve as a roadmap for this government to address the scars of the multi-generational impacts of these schools and move from apology to action for reconciliation with our people,” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, who also attended TRC events in Ottawa. “It is regrettable that so many survivors were lost before they could tell their stories, hear the Government of Canada’s apology and receive the compensation they were entitled to, and the detailed findings of this extensive report shows the urgent need to redefine Canada’s relationship with Aboriginal Peoples.”

Approximately 5,000 NAN members attended Indian Residential Schools. NAN continues to advocate for resources to help survivors and communities and launched the NAN Residential School Curriculum in 2013 to educate youth on the history and impacts of the residential school system.

For more information please contact: Roxann Shapwaykeesic, Communications Officer – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4906 cell (807) 251-6876 or by email rshapwaykeesic@nan.on.ca

NT5