Truth and reconciliation centre in Winnipeg to get $10M from feds

The national centre dedicated to archiving and presenting the thousands of stories told by individuals through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will receive $10 million from the federal government.

The funding, promised today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, matches the amount recommended by the commission led by Senator Murray Sinclair, Manitoba's first Indigenous judge.

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"We're really thrilled to see the government stepping up to the plate and implementing another one of the very important calls to action issued by the TRC," said Ry Moran, director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg.

The TRC issued its final report one year ago, on Dec. 15, 2015.

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Funding recommended by TRC

Among the 94 recommendations in that report was one asking for $10 million over seven years for the centre, which houses all the documents and oral statements related to residential schools received from survivors.

Over six years, the commission heard from more than 6,750 survivors, family members and others about the residential school system.

In the Truth and Reconciliation report's executive summary, the centre, now located at the University of Manitoba, is described as a place that should serve "as a public memory 'site of conscience,' bearing permanent witness to Survivors' testimonies and the history and legacy of the residential school system."

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The commission recommended the centre be a "living legacy" and "a teaching and learning place" to promote understanding and reconciliation.

'Huge mandate'

Its mandate also includes gathering new statements as well as research, commemoration ceremonies, and Indigenous celebrations.

Moran said the centre has a "huge mandate," and he sees the funding announcement as a signal the government stands behind the goals of the TRC.

"We need help and this is a really positive sign that the government is really committed to helping not just the centre, but the country better understand and remember this critical history of residential schools," he said.

There are no concrete plans yet on how the money will be spent, said Moran, but there is a general idea of where it could go.

"We're going to sit down and plan out next steps," he said. "We have a lot of responsibilities with the archives."

May travel to schools

One possible project the centre may pursue is bringing information from the archives to schools in Canada, as well as studying the material itself.

"Obviously, conducting new and original research, deepening our understanding of the residential schools and impacts and legacies is essential."

Moran said reconciliation is a process that cannot be rushed, and has to take place over many years.

"Reconciliation is not going to be achieved by a few glitzy announcements or by saying we're going to do the right thing and then not actually doing it," he said.

"Reconciliation is a move away from the status quo and towards something new, brighter, different. It means living together respectfully in society in a way that we haven't actually done yet."

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