Ottawa relatives of residential school survivors 'hopeful' as TRC releases final report

People from Ottawa's indigenous community say they're thankful for the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and they're encouraged by steps the federal government has taken to implement its calls to action.

Family members of residential school survivors who live in Ottawa were at the Shaw Centre Tuesday afternoon as the TRC unveiled its final report, a nearly 4,000 page detailed account of Canada's Indian Residential School system and the abuses endured by many of the children who were forced to attend them.

Chantal Batt said it was important for her to attend the release of the final report to honour her family members. 

"Just so that they're not forgotten because they were children when they lost their lives, and that shouldn't happen when children go to school," she said.

Her grandfather went to St. Mary's residential school in Kenora where his siblings died, she said.

"They've been forgotten because their existence isn't recorded anywhere — and we don't even know where they're buried," she said. 

"Today will explain to a lot of people of my generation, and following generations, why this happened to our ancestors."

'I needed to be here myself'

Remembering loved ones was the main reason many people from Ottawa's indigenous community attended the closing event.

"My mother was a residential school survivor," said Colleen Cardinal. "She passed away in 1999, and I needed to be here myself and witness what was happening in person, and to hear and see it with my own eyes."

Cardinal was also pleased to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet in attendance.

"It's really emotional and overpowering to hear not only are they admitting that these things happen, but also wanting to make changes," she said. "And it means a lot to have the prime minister here, the ministers here, to even see the prime minister smudge and just really be there present with us in ceremony was really huge for me."

Other relatives of residential school survivors, however, remained a little more skeptical.

'We need action'

"We need action. We've had a lot of words. We've had a lot of reports," said Jocelyn Iahtail, whose grandmother, Marguerite Wabano, was the oldest known living residential survivor when she died last month at 111.

Still, the fact that the federal government under Trudeau has committed to carrying out all 94 of the TRC's calls to action, like calling an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, is encouraging to some in the community here.

"It's still very early days. Right now it is a lot of talk," Batt said. 

"But it's a step in the right direction, and I hope that it does lead to some positive outcome for the many families. I don't know any family that hasn't been affected by residential school or missing and murdered Aboriginal women."

Cardinal agreed that it was a great start. 

"I feel like we're just starting to do the work, and the groundwork has been laid by the TRC. So I thank them for their commitment and dedication."