12-year Anniversary of the Federal Government’s Apology to Residential School Survivors

June 11, 2020 (Ottawa, ON) – It was 12 years ago today, June 11, 2008, when then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood in the House of Commons and delivered a formal Apology on behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, to students of the Residential School System in Canada. This carefully-worded Apology was a requirement of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), and was a first step toward Reconciliation – but, as a country, we still have much work to do. The Government has yet to uphold many of the commitments set out in the IRSSA, and is far from fulfilling the 94 Calls to Action that were subsequently recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Apology served as a broadcast, bringing the Residential School System and all of its horrors to the forefront of the Nation’s attention for the first time in history. While the very existence of these schools was an aspect of history largely unbeknownst to many Canadians, it was the Apology that finally brought to light an admission of the harms caused to generations of Indigenous families from harmful Government policies, colonial acts of oppression, and the treatment of Indigenous Peoples.

On the occasion of this 12-year anniversary of the release of the Apology, LHF Executive Director and In-house Legal Counsel, Teresa Edwards reiterates that, “An apology is only meaningful if it is followed by actions that echo its words. Twelve years later, the Apology has been followed with many more words, but very little action. Now more than ever the Government of Canada must work with Indigenous Peoples to address the racism and the many injustices that continue to exist for Indigenous Peoples. It starts with education and relationship-building. Today Canadians can ask themselves what they can do to improve the situation, then do it. We all need to work together toward Reconciliation.”

The Residential School System not only failed to deliver education to generations of Indigenous children, it supported generations of abuse, neglect and cultural disruption. The LHF encourages all Canadians to act now to address the ongoing discrimination and injustices against Indigenous Peoples and to improve the relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

The LHF is an Indigenous-led charitable Foundation whose mandate is to educate Canadians by raising awareness and understanding of the impacts of Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop and other colonial act of oppression against Indigenous Peoples. It does this through the ongoing development and implementation of Curricula and Educational Resources that uncover the true history of Indigenous colonial experience in Canada in order to build understanding, empathy and respectful relationship with Canadians. The LHF has over twenty exhibitions about the history of Indigenous Peoples and the injustices they faced, to encourage Canadians to act and to improve the situation, and to support the ongoing healing process of Residential School Survivors. LHF is celebrating its 20-year Anniversary of educating Canadians in order to foster Reconciliation in Canada today.

For media inquiries:
Teresa Edwards, B.A. JD.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Phone:  613-237-4806 Ext. 303 info@legacyofhope.ca