June 11, 2009 - National Day of Reconciliation - British Columbia Premier

Sarah Douziech, Westerly News, Thursday, June 11, 2009

Premier Gordon Campbell urged British Columbians to consider the part
reconciliation with First Nations peoples can play in developing positive
future relationships, to mark the federal government's historic apology to
residential school survivors made a year ago today.

Campbell said the apology made last year by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
was a beginning, not an end to the reconciliation process.

"In B.C., we are building on our new relationship with Aboriginal people.
This relationship was founded on mutual respect, recognition and
reconciliation," Campbell said in an issued statement. Through the new
relationship Campbell said B.C. is working to close economic and social
gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Many ceremonies are taking place across the country today to commemorate
the apology and continue the process of healing. On June 11, 2008, Prime
Minister Stephen Harper stood in the House of Commons and offered an
apology to survivors of the Indian residential school system and all
Aboriginal people in Canada for the country's role in what he called "a sad
chapter" in its history.

"There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian
residential schools system to ever again prevail," Harper said. "The
government sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal
peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly."

Harper said part of the reconciliation process included a settlement
agreement that included the Indian Residential Schools Truth and
Reconciliation Commission. The commission offers former students and others
affected by the residential school legacy a chance to tell their story, to
be shared with all Canadians. Its work in creating an historic account of
experiences began in June 2008 and is meant to complete its work by 2013,
with a budget of $60 million.

After commission members resigned in Oct. 2008 over concerns of lack of
progress and political interference, the commission was stalled. It was
officially restarted June 10, 2009 with three newly appointed panel
members.