June 11, 2009 - National Day of Reconciliation - Anglican Church of Canada

Anglican Church of Canada, June 11, 2009

A year ago today, the Prime Minister of Canada rose in the House of Commons
to make a apology on behalf of all Canadians to the survivors of Indian
Residential Schools. He acknowledged that the policy of assimilation of
Aboriginal Peoples was wrong and expressed remorse for the many abuses
suffered by those who attended the residential schools. “There is,” he
said, “no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian
Residential Schools system to ever again prevail.”

In the year since, much has happened and much has failed to materialize.

We are grateful for the Prime Minister's leadership in establishing a Truth
and Reconciliation Commission. But we also need to acknowledge that the
delay in the commencement of the work of the commission is regrettable and
has been harmful to many former residential schools students and to their
families and to their communities. Many former residential schools students
are growing older and some have died without being heard. Former students
have paid a price for the delay in the commencement of the commission's
work.

We rejoice in the naming of the new commissioners and hope that the work of
the commission can now resume. First Nations, Inuit, Metis people and the
churches are eager to move ahead. Though it risks being a painful process
for many, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is also a hopeful
process. We celebrate the courage of all who may become involved in that
work. We pray for them, we pray for the commissioners and we pray that all
this work may become another stepping stone on the path of reconciliation.

Today many public events in Ottawa and across Canada will mark the first
anniversary of the Prime Minister's apology. My own hope is that all
Canadians will take to heart the words of National Chief Phil Fontaine:
“June 11 will now be a day to put meaningful action to the many fine words
that have been given to us by way of apologies from the Residential Schools
era. We once again offer a hand to work on partnership with the government,
the churches and the people of Canada to make the land a better place for
First Nations peoples and all Canadians.”

As a member church in the Ecumenical Working Group that represents the
Anglican, Presbyterian, United and Roman Catholic churches, we welcome the
opportunity to join hands in advancing the work of healing and
reconciliation, guiding this country of Canada on a new and different path.

Fred J. Hiltz
Archbishop and Primate