Residential school apology translated into 7 Indigenous languages

Ten years after it was delivered on the floor of the House of Commons, Canada's apology to residential school survivors has been translated into seven Indigenous languages.

Educational videos about the legacy of this dark chapter in Canada's history will also be ready for use in schools beginning this fall, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett announced today. She called it a "small step" on the path to reconciliation.

"This is being done not only because it's important for Indigenous people to hear these words in their own languages. It will also help further education on the destructive legacy of residential schools and help promote the languages that so many students and families lost as a result of these past experiences," she said.

Bennett was marking 10 years since then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology in the House of Commons on behalf of the government of Canada over residential schools and the damage they did to Indigenous people through their efforts to compel Indigenous children to assimilate into mainstream culture.

Prime minister Stephen Harper apologizes for residential schools in 2008

16 years ago

Duration 2:54

Warning: This video contains distressing details. In Parliament, Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers an apology to residential school survivors and all Indigenous Canadians. Aired on a CBC live TV special on June 11 2008. To see the full event, visit http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1228444227817 About 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were forced to attend the government-funded residential schools from the 19th century to 1996, when the last one closed. They lived in substandard conditions and endured sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The system was "cultural genocide," said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015. A 24-hour national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419 to support former students and others affected by a residential school experience.

Bennett said the trauma lingering from the residential schools experience has led to a range of problems in Indigenous communities, from alcohol and drug addiction to high rates of incarceration.

"This is a linear relationship, and we have to be much better about dealing head-on with what that trauma has done and be ever watchful to make sure nothing (like it) can happen again," she said.

The apology has been translated into seven languages for distribution and posting online at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website. The languages are:

• Mohawk
• Plains Cree
• Western Ojibway
• Mi'kmaq
• Inuktitut
• Dene
• Algonquin

Evelyn Korkmaz, a survivor of St. Anne's residential school in Albany, Ont., said the government has an obligation to improve living conditions for Indigenous people. There is no excuse for undrinkable water, mould-infested housing, poor health care and high suicide rates on reserves, she said.

'A shame and a disgrace'

"This is a shame and a disgrace to Canada. We must, as Indigenous people and as Canadians, step up to the plate and work together to improve Indigenous peoples' lives," Korkmaz said.

On June 10, 2008, Harper said the policy of assimilation that forced Indigenous children from their homes and families and into church-run schools was wrong and caused great harm.

"The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry," he said at the time.

A long-awaited apology for residential schools in 2008 (full event)

16 years ago

Duration 1:25:20

In Parliament, Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers an apology to residential school survivors and all Indigenous Canadians in 2008. Full live coverage from June 11, 2008. About 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were forced to attend the government-funded residential schools from the 19th century to 1996, when the last one closed. They lived in substandard conditions and endured sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The system was "cultural genocide," said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015. A 24-hour national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419 to support former students and others affected by a residential school experience.