Remembering the apology and moving forward

June 11 is the second anniversary of the government’s official apology for the Indian Residential Schools, which represent a disturbing legacy in Canada’s history.

 Since then Aboriginal groups, churches (from various denominations), the government and other groups have been working to restore relations in Canada and bring healing and reconciliation, through events, policies, and the formation of specific bodies like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

This June there are various events and conferences being held across the country to mark the anniversary of the apology and promote ways for the people of Canada to move forward:

The Forgiven Summit in Ottawa June 11-13, led by ordained minister, former Grand Deputy Chief of the Cree in Quebec and Residential School survivor, Kenny Blacksmith. The summit will bring an end to the Journey of Freedom Tour, led by Blacksmith and others, which visited 20 cities and towns across Canada since January 2010.

The emphasis on this summit is granting forgiveness to the government and the people of Canada following the apology in 2008. Several other Aboriginal ministers and theologians have expressed the concern that forgiveness and reconciliation require genuine repentance, and not just an apology, in order to move forward and create real change, and look to the government for such action.

The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), formed just before the apology, is also hosting a nation-wide event from June 16-19, a first for the commission. Aboriginal groups from across the country will be participating in ceremonial and culture activities, educational seminars, art and culture exhibits, and opportunities for survivors to share their stories. Everyone is invited to participate in most of the events, except for a few programs reserved solely for survivors.

The TRC got off to a rocky start. The first head commissioner, Justice Harry LaForme, resigned in October 2008 over apparent conflicts with the other commissioners. But in June 2009, Justice Murray Sinclair from Manitoba was appointed as the new head commissioner, with Marie Wilson, and Chief Littlechild also appointed as commissioners. The commissioners have been gathering stories from across the country, but this will be the first nation-wide event.

The four national churches who participated with the Residential Schools will be involved as well, including the United Church, the Anglican Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church. Be sure to check out what these churches are doing (by clicking on each one) to mark this anniversary and their work in general towards reconciliation and Aboriginal issues.

Be sure to follow these events and others in the coming weeks.