On Wednesday, June 11 Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an apology on behalf of the Canadian government to the aboriginal students who endured abuse and torment in Canada's residential schools. Read the full excerpt of his apology.
Many aboriginal leaders were positive about the sentiments the prime minister expressed. National chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine announced "this day will help us to put that pain behind us." Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe said it was impossible to erase the scars but the apology was necessary and New Democratic Leader Jack Layton said that he was sorry for one of the most shameful parts of Canadian history and that it was a time now to live together on an equal footing.
We asked you what you thought of the government's apology. From a sense that the right thing was done, to concern that the apology didn't go far enough, your reaction's ran the gamut.
Here's what some of you had to say:
"Today I cried for my husband. I cried for that 5 year old innocent boy that endured abuse at a residential school. You see, he does not cry. He says, "why cry? I was not heard when i was 5, why would i be heard when I am 50?" Today, after hearing the apology, I know that little boy is heard. Hopefully, now, I can experience happiness with my husband in all aspects of his spiritual self. Thank you, from our family. Our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren yet to come." — Lorraine Stone
"I think it's commendable that the government chose to do this. They are acknowledging the sins of the past carried out on their behalf against a people who, in many cases, are still struggling with the consequences. It’s a notable gesture that will hopefully be well received. As for what comes next, you’re guess is as good as mine." — Sean
"I watched our Prime Minister express his sincere apology. I cried as I watched. And after the he spoke, I was satisfied. I only wish that my father (former student)could have been here to see it. My father was a victim of the school, and as a result, my mother, my father and sister committed suicide in less than eight years span. I hated him for all the wrong choices he made. But now I have some understanding of why he was the man he was." — Gail
"I thought that Stephen Harper did not go far enough with his apology. He should have delved deeper into specific problems faced by the aboriginal peoples. Jack Layton did this well in his apology. I appreciated the emotion in his words, which I did not see from Harper. The apology is a long time coming and long overdue. Of course, none of them can truely apologize for the horrors that occurred, because they did not cause them. We Canadians will just have to live with what our previous leaders did to suppress aboriginal cultures and be regretful as a country." — Janet
"As I watched the Governments Apology, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. Even though I did not attend Residential School, I understand the importance of this historical event. I was witnessing Canadian history being made, history that directly effects everything that I know." — Bernalda
"I was very emotional and thankful for the apology. I am a 2nd generational residential school survivor. I lived through the after affects of a residential school mother who lost everything including the basics of proper parenting. I no longer blame my mother for not providing a healthy home environment for me and my siblings. I understand and forgive both my mother and the government. I now realize things were done with the best intensions." — priscilla johnsdtone
"Sadly, the apology did not go far enough. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the people who were hurt. The apology was measured, and in doing so, diminished the recognition of their suffering. This kind of suffering should never be painted with a brush of 'two sides to a story', with the PM's saying "while some former students have spoken positively about their experiences at residential schools ." — heather
How do you feel about the government's apology?
Share your thoughts (CBC LINK)
Commentary
Mr. Harper's apology contained negligible prejudice and a great deal of
positive publicity to divert from the most substantive and serious problems in
Canadian Society.
Mr. Harper should deal with Canada's number one problem, the absence of Rule of
Law in Canada.
That's right, we don't have real Rule of Law in Canada.
A significant percentage of the judiciary flagrantly abuse their power, many are
feminist activists engaged in a War Against Men.
OK, so you think it only affects that percentage of 'divorced fathers", wrong.
Our absence of Rule of Law is allowing judges to indefinitely repeatedly
incarcerate fathers who simply wish to have a relationship with their children.
Canada has a CORRUPT JUDICIARY, most of the judges in Ontario have a make
decisions against men with a pathological bias and hatred towards men that
results in systemic injustice.
If you are man thinking of Immigrating to Canada - DONT - Be warned, Canada has
a corrupt Judiciary hell bent on the destruction of anyone who dares to suggest
that they are less than perfect.
Everyone knows that the absence of Law and Order is the start of a slippery
slide into a lawless society.
When you think of Judges, society expects the highest standard. What Canadians
do not realize is that the very very worst of the underbelly of Canadian Society
are not convicted criminals, but Judges of Ontario who flagrantly habitually
abuse the judicial discretion as part of a War Against Men in Canada's program
of Male Gender Apartheid.
Significant Real Crime in Canada is caused not by drug dealers and violent
offenders but by a dead beat dysfunctional Canadian Judiciary that has next to
zero accountability and a complaints system designed for no other purpose than
to ensure no complaints are received. www OttawaMensCentre dot com