Tag Archives: Prime Minister’s official apology

Harper’s Apology – Weblog 3 – 3

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Harper’s Apology

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100015644/1100100015649

This site, from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, contains a transcript of the apology Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave for residential schools on June 11, 2008.

The apology was issued, on behalf of the Government of Canada, to all people impacted by residential schools, particular those whose had survived the horrific treatment at the aforementioned schools.  The apology admits over 150,000 children were separated from their families during this tumultuous time.  He states the schools were started, partly, to meet the educational needs of Aboriginal children in the 1800s.  The need to assimilate children was based on the belief Aboriginal culture was inferior to European culture.  132 schools were funded nationwide with every province containing them, with the exception of Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.  The government recognizes these schools were a tragedy and should have never occurred.

The government also recognizes the fallout to residential schools and the impact it has had on people and communities.  Although, Harper states, some enjoyed their time at school, these positives are overshadowed by the tragic stories of survivors.  He also recognized the absence of an apology has slowed down the healing process.  The onus should fall on the government and country for not issuing an apology earlier and they must shoulder the burden.  He apologizes to all survivors and families impacted by residential schools.  He also recognized the steps that need to be taken moving forward, including the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

This apology will be used in my project because it is the first time the government truly recognized what an atrocity occurred on Canadian soil.  It also began the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which will a small focus of the project.  I also remember watching the apology on television and wondering the sincerity of it.  Given what occurred, I can’t help but wonder if healing will ever happen.

TM

The shame of residential schools in Canada

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In order to research the generation loss of aboriginal languages due to the horrible suffering of First Nation students as a result of being sent to residential schools in Canada, I first need to research residential schools in general and read about the shameful way that Canada’s non-aboriginal government dealt with our Frist Nation people.  This site even discusses the official apology, presented by prime minister, Stephen Harper, on my birthday, June 11th, 2008.

http://www.shannonthunderbird.com/residential_schools.htm

Sad story after sad story about how children were forcibly taken from their homes when they were 6 years old (abused and forbidden to speak their own language or celebrate their culture) and then returned when they were 14.  Some never made it home and died at the schools (the reasons of death were covered up).  Horror stories about what went on in these residential school took years before they reached the ears of those who could do something about it.  (Hare, 2011) discusses the rigorous, religious indoctrination that went on and how students were punished for speaking their own language.  One girl told her story, after leaving school, that her tongue hurt every time she spoke her langue.  It was the result of the physical and psychological damage that had been incurred at school, when she had a needle stuck into her tongue every time she spoke her native language. The most tragic part was that when (and if) the children returned home, they lived divided lives since they could no longer relate to their families.