Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Written Dialogue:
Justin Trudeau: I was the first person in my position to officially respond to the
work of the TRC. Seven years since the historic apology to the survivors of the
Indian residential schools made by Stephen Harper, I continue to firmly believe that
the words of the apology still remain true and timely, and so does the request for
forgiveness.
Awesome! I can tell that you put a lot of effort into your research!
Stephen Harper: After the apology announcement was made on behalf of the
Government of Canada, many of the views First Nations communities and
individuals had on the government had changed. They began to look at us from a
different point of view, where they saw that we are not the same government that
placed them in the residential schools, but the government that took them out of
them.
Justin Trudeau: Our goal, as we move forward together, is clear: it is to lift this
burden from their shoulders, from the families and communities affected. The
Government of Canada needs to fully accept our responsibilities, and our failings as
a government and as a country. I did not learn much about indigenous peoples in
my Canadian history class, and I promise to you that that will never happen again. It
is time for Canada to have a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous
peoples, based on recognition, rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. This is
both the right thing to do and a sure path to economic growth. We will immediately
re-engage in a revived nation-to-nation process with Indigenous peoples to make
progress on the issues most important to First Nations, the Mtis Nation, and Inuit
communities; issues like housing, infrastructure, mental and physical health care,
community safety and policing, child welfare, and education. As a part of this
improved relationship , we will do more to make sure that the voices of Indigenous
peoples are heard. As Prime Minister, I will meet with First Nations, the Metis Nation,
and Inuit leaders each and every year as a Liberal government obligation. Stephen
Harpers changes to the Canada Elections Act have made it harder for Indigenous
peoples to exercise their right to vote. We will cancel on those changes. Finally, we
will ensure that the Kelowna Accord is embraced, and that its objectives are
implemented in a manner that meets todays challenges.
When the school is on the reserve the child lives with its
parents, who are savages he is surrounded by savages. Indian children
should be withdrawn as much as possible from the parental influence
Stephen Harper: The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad
chapter in our history. Two primary objectives of the residential schools were to
remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions
and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture. We now recognize
that, in separating children from their families, we undermined the ability of many
to adequately parent their own children and sowed the seeds for generations to
follow and we apologize for having done this. We apologize for failing to protect you.
For the child taken, for the parent left behind, we are sorry.
Justin Trudeau: There is no such thing as a model or ideal Canadian. What could
be more absurd than the concept of an all Canadian boy or girl? A society which
emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate. There is no core
identity, no mainstream in Canada. Those qualities are what make us the first
postnational state. Diversity is the engine of invention. It generates creativity and
enriches the world. We define a Canadian not as a skin colour or a language or a
background, but by a shared set of values, aspirations, hopes, and dreams.
Reflection:
I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact,
that this country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able
to stand alone...our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in
Canada who has not been absorbed into the political body and there is no
Indian question and no Indian Department.
-Duncan Campbell Scott: Deputy Superintendent of the Department of
Indian Affairs, Special Committee of the House of Commons, March 30, 1920.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/residential-schools/
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/12/15/time-to-lift-the-burden-of-residential-
schools-trudeau-says.html
https://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/bitstream/10219/384/1/NSWJ-V7-art3-p63-85.PDF
https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1307460755710/1307460872523
https://www.liberal.ca/realchange/a-new-nation-to-nation-process/