BCAFN acknowledges legacy for first National Truth and Reconciliation Day

PRINCE GEORGE—The BC Assembly of First Nations is acknowledging the pledge taken on Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30^th

“We honour the survivors who bravely and persistently stepped forward over many years to share stories of their experiences in these schools. By remembering and sharing the past they fought to create a better future for our children. This day is an opportunity for all Canadians to embrace reconciliation and learn more about the long and recent history of Indigenous people’s experiences in the residential schools, which was created and enforced by the Canadian government for over a century. Also complicit are the European churches, mainly the Roman Catholic and Anglican denominations, who controlled the operations of most of the schools,” stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee.

The discovery of the 215 remains of children at the former residential school in Kamloops created a movement to recognize the dark history and abuse towards Indigenous Peoples.

The BCAFN says that as work continues to uncover more children at residential school sites across the country, Canadians are beginning to grasp the ongoing legacy of the colonial policies and systems built, and maintained for decades.