Tragic Residential School Discovery in Saskatchewan Requires a Renewed Commitment to Reconciliation

June 24, 2021

Today’s announcement that 751 unmarked graves have been found at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan is a tragic reminder of the pain experienced by Indigenous children and their families.

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission stands with the Cowessess First Nation, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, and all Indigenous peoples in Canada during this difficult time – and in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

The legacy of Canada’s residential school system has cast a long shadow over the lives of First Nations people. It is a dark stain on Canada that will take time and hard work to reconcile, but it is work that must be done.

The world is watching. Today’s press conference was attended by numerous international journalists who will tell and retell this story, and the story of Canada’s residential school system.

It is important that healing and reconciliation are the next chapters in that story.

To do this, governments at all levels, institutions, corporations, and individual Canadians must implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. These calls are clear, impassioned, and unequivocal. Taking action will improve the lives of all who have been negatively affected by the residential school system.

Everyone in Canada must learn the truth about our shared history and understand what happened at the residential schools. We must listen carefully to what First Nations Elders and leaders are saying. And we must we work together to rebuild relationships that have been distant and fractured for far too long.

The road ahead may be long and difficult, but it is a road we share. We must walk together, side-by-side and in the spirit of reconciliation, if we are to achieve the healing that is required.

 

 

David M. Arnot, Chief Commissioner
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission