June 11: National Day of Reconciliation

June 11 will mark the one-year anniversary of the Prime Minister’s Apology on behalf of the Government of Canada to Indian Residential School Survivors.

On this day last year, the Prime Minister spoke strongly and movingly, and declared that all Canadians will join our country's First Nations on a journey of healing. To mark the anniversary of the Apology, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is organizing a National Day of Reconciliation for June 11. It will be a day to assess what has and has not happened over the past year, and to talk about how we as a country can put meaningful action to the many fine words that have been given to First Nations by way of apologies for the residential school era.

The AFN once again offers their hand to work in partnership with the governments, the Churches, and the people of Canada to make this country a better place for First Nation people and all Canadians.

This is a time for all Canadians to ask: What can our community do to mark the National Day of Reconciliation?

At 11 a.m. on June 11th, they are asking every church in the country to ring their bells as a show of solidarity with First Nations. They also want First Nations leaders – indeed, any concerned Canadian – to organize events and activities that will help educate Canadians about our peoples, our cultures, our goals and aspirations, and the urgent priority to eradicate First Nations poverty.

The AFN wants to work with all levels of government on a comprehensive plan that lifts First Nations out of poverty.

They want all levels of government to address equal funding for schools on First Nations.

They want all levels of government to tackle the inequity facing our child welfare agencies.

Action on these matters is one step towards bringing First Nations to the same quality of life that other Canadians enjoy.

Labour unions, church members, students and youth, federal and provincial governments, the private sector and all who believe in justice and fairness are invited to work with the AFN in finding ways to address these confounding, systemic problems.

This requires First Nations to reach out to their neighbours for help to address these complex issues. The Day of Reconciliation can be marked off as the day Canadians came together to start the process of understanding one another and working together.

In Ottawa, the day will begin at 5:30 am with a sunrise ceremony on Victoria Island. A march to Parliament Hill from Victoria Island will start at 11:30 am. Concurrently on Parliament Hill, local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children will invite everyone to participate in a Round Dance, a traditional display of friendship and goodwill. The children will also be given an opportunity to present to the National Leaders a satchel of their “Dreams and Hopes for a Better Canada.”

The Leaders of the five National Aboriginal Organizations are scheduled to deliver a report to the Senate in their Chambers at 3:00 pm on the progress since the Apology of 2008. There the Leaders will have an opportunity to deliver the message of hope to the Senate.

This June 11th, the AFN is asking Canadians to join in the in the call to eliminate poverty for First Nations. They've welcomed the apologies. Now it is time to work together and take action.