Canada formally apologizes to native peoples
- added June 11, 2008
- 33 responses
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- merasyad
- added this
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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will offer a thorough and detailed apology today to the nation's native peoples for abuses and the loss of aboriginal languages and culture they suffered during a century of forced assimilation at residential schools.
The apology has been billed by the government as a chance to redress a dark chapter in Canadian history. But the day before the landmark statement was marked by wrangling over whether native leaders were adequately consulted over the content, and anger that they will not be allowed to respond in the House of Commons.
Some survivors, as the former schoolchildren are widely called, say the apology is coming only grudgingly under intense pressure from native groups, and must be matched by action. But it is widely recognized as a significant step for a government that had previously sought to limit its responsibility for the harm caused by its assimilation policy.
For more than a century, native Canadian children were sent to boarding schools run by churches and the government to adapt them to modern society and to Christianize them. Many suffered sexual and psychological abuse, and their detachment from their families and communities has had effects across generations.
Several churches already offered apologies in the late 1980s and 1990s, and the government's head of Indian affairs made a statement of reconciliation in 1998. A lawsuit settled in 2006 created a $1.9-billion compensation fund, and an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched on June 1.
But today's statement is the government's first formal expression of responsibility and remorse for the forced assimilation program and its legacy of damage.
The apology has been billed by the government as a chance to redress a dark chapter in Canadian history. But the day before the landmark statement was marked by wrangling over whether native leaders were adequately consulted over the content, and anger that they will not be allowed to respond in the House of Commons.
Some survivors, as the former schoolchildren are widely called, say the apology is coming only grudgingly under intense pressure from native groups, and must be matched by action. But it is widely recognized as a significant step for a government that had previously sought to limit its responsibility for the harm caused by its assimilation policy.
For more than a century, native Canadian children were sent to boarding schools run by churches and the government to adapt them to modern society and to Christianize them. Many suffered sexual and psychological abuse, and their detachment from their families and communities has had effects across generations.
Several churches already offered apologies in the late 1980s and 1990s, and the government's head of Indian affairs made a statement of reconciliation in 1998. A lawsuit settled in 2006 created a $1.9-billion compensation fund, and an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched on June 1.
But today's statement is the government's first formal expression of responsibility and remorse for the forced assimilation program and its legacy of damage.
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It's about time. It was GENOCIDE.
I heard a very surprising, and eye opening show about it on NPR. Sad stuff. The things some people are capable of... Makes me sick and sad. -
Hopefully they accept and there is some type of healing.
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Excellent. Now if only the US would do the same thing.
Gorgeous clothing by the way.-
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- Dmitri_Molotov
- 4 months ago
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Exactly Dmitri_Molotov. Since Australia has already apologized to the natives, and Canada is planning to do the same, wouldn't it be great if the US followed their footsteps?
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I hope it doenst end there.
A written apology is really not enough for large amounts of people that have been forgotten by this government. -
You only need to go to the nearest reservation to see that Native Americans suffer from shitty health system, bad education, etc.
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I hope you're not suggesting money.
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why not money?
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My mother is an Ojibwa Indian from ontario. They dont have it as bad as you guys are posting. Our family has land in compensation and free evrything including not paying taxes on things like cars.
My mother has her "Native card" "they get pissed if you call them indians." That thing is like fffing gold up there. Free school kill anything anytime of the year.. You guys have it all wrong, an apology to people who have been dead for 100 years doesnt mean shit to the natives.
Just keep them happy with stuff and itll all be cool -
Because I don't believe people deserve to profit from the hardships of others in such a way.
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This is the greatest news ever, after Robbing the people of their Land, Dignity and Nobility, there is Hope and Remorse from the Posterity of the Nation.
Now can we get an Amen for the Washitaw De Dugdamoundyah in North America? -
Wow. Who knew?
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- VictoriaRenee
- 4 months ago
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And I thought only America had been guilty of this great cultural sin. Canada just lost a few points with me on that one. To add insult to injury, the "old country" Europeans are at it again, taking African slaves for themselves. Seems like Sweden is the only damn eutopia left on the planet. Blondes and socialism, that'll work for now.
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Forced removal of Native children from their parents and homes in order to be 'christianized and civilized', to adopt mainstream views and valuesl; Intolerance, oppression and abuse, effecting a slow genocide.
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Apologies are boring. I mean, yay, they finally said something about it but in reality, it means very little in terms of the damage done.
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dave matthews, dont drink the water
maybe the US will follow Australia's and Canada's example? -
My Aunt lives in Alberta; I went to visit and she was telling me that the Natives get treated really badly in Canada.
I think written apologies are just an excuse for not wanting to physically do anything to bring EQUALITY amongst both/all people living on the land.
I also think written apologies are just a way to get public-praise; youn know: "hey look at us we are showing that we 'actually care' for the people of this country [even tho its been how many, many, many years now]."-
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- Skyscraper08
- 4 months ago
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Skyscraper08 that's sad that your aunt thinks Canadian Natives are treated badly.
That may be more and more in the past with our new direction..don't you think so?
Obama..although I am not 100% convinced that he will deliver..at least he gives me hope. He should encourage fairness to all. With media like Current, HBO Documentaries.. and Keith O..we have a chance of bringing their stories to light. I know that I am eager to hear them! They have a rich history and natural wisdom. I'm not sure if it is a good idea, from their perspective, but it seems like the other people are ready to hear from them and to see how they traditionally lived intertwined with Nature..maybe even educational programs that teach youth. Camps and retreats where we can experience building teepees and long houses to appreciate their rich history. We have not done that in our history classes.
In the past I'm sure that news wanted to cover up stories ..I'd like to hear about how Natives think about Thanksgiving I know it is painful for them to think about that and it must be like a day of mourning for them..maybe we can all decide on a Harvest Day to be inclusive of our Native friends instead of making up fake stories...that could be fun..to redefine "Thanksgiving" in a way that makes us all happy...we could make a topic thread on Current!
I don't like Casinos and don't think that is the way to help anyone. There are better ways if people put their heads together..in true spirit of goodwill, environmental stewardship and cooperation instead of trying to make a buck any way possible, out of frustration.-
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- CarolynGillis
- 4 months ago
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One can only wonder what and updated version of this 1976 George Maciunas artwork would tell us. -
I find this a little amusing.
"Yeah, sorry about all that stuff that happened to you. We're still friends, right?"
I don't really know what apologies accomplish at the best of times. It's like the woman who got my older brother hooked on heroin and gave him AIDS. She could apologize, but that's not exactly going to make him say, "Oh, you know what, I think you've cured me! Thank you for apologizing! I will move out of this abandoned factory, stop taking heroin, and stop having the AIDS you gave me."-
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- AceHardchester
- 4 months ago
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you are right, forgiveness is a tough word
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Wow... I didn't think this would happen anytime soon. Ha, but I also thought a Black man in America wouldn't ever by a candidate for the Big Chair. I will agree it isn't much at all; they are just words. But for a government to formally acknowledge its wrong doing is always a good step. And it's the second one we have had this year. I'm staying tuned to see what happens...
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Words yes, reparations no. In the US, niether now or ever.
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It's a big step for the Harper government to accept responsibility this way. Sure, apologies in general don't tend to fix situations, but this is a case of a federal government saying "it was our fault and we were wrong." How often do you see heads of state saying that?
The Natives in Canada get a lot of perks, and some try to have all cakes and eat them too, but they were given an incredibly raw deal to begin with. Where I live the Native fishing rights are quite contentious, as they can fish with commercial size boats out of season whereas the non-Natives have to wait for specific days and runs to fish on. The idea is that the Natives are fishing to feed themselves subsistence-style, but of course lots of the fish get sold to restaurants and whatnot.
I don't know if there's a way to solve any of this. How do you apologize for history? -
i'm all about native's rights , but i cringe whenever anyone attempts to portray "natives" as noble savages whom , gathered into tribes , didn't practice genocide long before "colonists " arrived - some tribes eagerly participated with the "US gov't" to help kill off their rivals - and if it weren't for "native" scouts who helped lead US soldiers through the west on missions of extermination , the "indian wars" would have looked much different .
it might also be worth noting that the reason why the "US" was able to "conquer" N. America was because tribes could never unite to present an effective opposition - they were too busy in-fighting . -
late but at least better then nothing, the Japanese to the comfort women of WW2? The Russian leadership to the Jewish community? Theres still much to talk about.
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Amazing!
Grown ups actually admitting they aren't perfect? That maybe a country did something wrong?
WOW!
Canada's politicians who supported this are WAY ahead of the Busheney gang of thug mentality.-
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- VoyagerFilms
- 3 months ago
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