5th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation final report

Transcript

Text on screen: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report is a testament to the courage of each and every survivor and family member who shared their story.

"We understood from the moment, very deeply, not only the significance of what we were doing but the sacredness of it." - Justice Murray Sinclair

Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations:
Kwe, Ullukkut, Tawnshi, Greetings, Bonjour.

Five years ago today, the Prime Minister accepted the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

On that day, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the extraordinary and difficult, difficult work of the Commissioners and the courage of those survivors who came forward to share their heartbreaking truths. The Prime Minister pledged that Canada would implement all the Calls to Action in what he acknowledged as "a monumental achievement toward healing and reconciliation."

Seventy-six of the Report's 94 Calls to Action fall under the sole or shared responsibility of the Government of Canada. We have committed to answering those calls, and to working with our partners to ensure that as a country we do even more on the journey of reconciliation.

Today, over 80 per cent of the Calls to Action that involve the Government of Canada have been completed or are well underway.

We have taken action by launching the first ever National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In partnership we have worked with Indigenous peoples to reform the child and family services system, to protect and promote Indigenous languages and are working together to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are also working to amend the Oath of Citizenship to include specific reference to affirm the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

We will continue to address historical injustices and to confront the racism that Indigenous people in Canada still face today as a direct consequence of damaging colonial policies.

We walk the path of reconciliation in partnership with all Canadians. It is only by ensuring a brighter future for this and future generations that we will be able to truly honour the residential school survivors, their families and their communities who were so cruelly subjected to Canada's dark and discriminatory past.

The Truth and Reconciliation's Final Report detailed a shared path to reconciliation. Today, we ask all Canadians to read or reread the Calls to Action. We ask all Canadians to identify the role that they can play on this journey. Together we will do the essential work to build a Canada that will never forget. A Canada that will forever honour the truths told by the families and survivors. A Canada that will walk the path of Reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis for generations to come.

Thank you, Merci, Meegwetch, Nakurmiik, Marsee.

Text on screen: For assistance with difficulties or distress, the National Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310

Connect with a counsellor on-line at hopeforwellness.ca

Transcript

Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services: Kwe, Tawnshi, Ullukkut, Hello, Bonjour.

I would like to begin by paying tribute to the survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, and to acknowledge the ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma.

Our country should never forget this tragedy.

Moving forward together on our shared goal of reconciliation we've made progress implementing the TRC's calls to action in three key areas: supporting children and families, education and health.

Among the actions taken so far:

• We've made historic investments to support well-being of children and families on reserve, including housing
• We are working on reducing the number of Indigenous children in care and fully implementing an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
• We are also working on reducing obstacles to post-secondary education for Indigenous youth, with a focus on increasing success rates
• We are also actively supporting Indigenous control over health services and advancing the work on co-developing a distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation

This anniversary reminds us of the work that remains to be done in addressing the harms caused by residential schools by building a better present and future for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. A future that is inclusive. Where systemic racism is absent.

We must all learn about the impacts and the legacy of residential schools and recognize that we have a shared responsibility to implement the TRC's Calls to Action. We can do great things when we work together.

Meegwetch. Nakurmiik. Marci. Thank you. Merci.

Text on screen: For assistance with difficulties or distress, the National Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310

Connect with a counsellor on-line at hopeforwellness.ca