06-11-2008, 09:31 PM
Today is a very great day that has special meaning for me because the year I graduated from Canadian University College in Lacombe, Alberta, I was selected to participate in the Canadian Youth Opportunities Program, working with the mobile dental clinic directed by Dr. Wendell Danielson on the Adventist Mission Boat, The Northern Light that plied the waters just off the coast of British Columbia. We lived in many native villages as we did their dental work. It was a real privilege to live in these villages. Our 1st Nations People are a very special people and I am so happy to finally see this apology from our Canadian Government. These people should never have been treated in the manner in which they were for they are just as surely God's children and all the rest of us. This is a new day for our nation and I trust that our politicians will continue to bring healing to these, our 1st Nations People.
Following is a news article about the appology:
Prime Minister cites 'sad chapter' in apology for residential schools
Stephen Harper stood in the House of Commons on Wednesday to say sorry to former students of native residential schools — in the first formal apology from a Canadian prime minister over the federally financed program.
"Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer an apology to former students of Indian residential schools," Harper said in Ottawa, surrounded by a small group of aboriginal leaders and former students, some of whom wept as he spoke.
"The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history.
"Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country," he said to applause.
"The government now recognizes that the consequences of the Indian residential schools policy were profoundly negative and that this policy has had a lasting and damaging impact on aboriginal culture, heritage and language," Harper said.
"While some former students have spoken positively about their experiences at residential schools, these stories are far overshadowed by tragic accounts of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect of helpless children, and their separation from powerless families and communities."
(This is only the first part of Prime Minister Harper's apology.)
Following is a news article about the appology:
Prime Minister cites 'sad chapter' in apology for residential schools
Stephen Harper stood in the House of Commons on Wednesday to say sorry to former students of native residential schools — in the first formal apology from a Canadian prime minister over the federally financed program.
"Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer an apology to former students of Indian residential schools," Harper said in Ottawa, surrounded by a small group of aboriginal leaders and former students, some of whom wept as he spoke.
"The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history.
"Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country," he said to applause.
"The government now recognizes that the consequences of the Indian residential schools policy were profoundly negative and that this policy has had a lasting and damaging impact on aboriginal culture, heritage and language," Harper said.
"While some former students have spoken positively about their experiences at residential schools, these stories are far overshadowed by tragic accounts of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect of helpless children, and their separation from powerless families and communities."
(This is only the first part of Prime Minister Harper's apology.)