Batchewana chief responds to residential school apology

NEWS RELEASE

BATCHEWANA FIRST NATION

************************* Canada's Indian residential school apology

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (June 13) - The Government of the Batchewana First Nation of Ojibways commends the Government of Canada on a step in the right direction with regard to the apology issued on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 by their prime minister, Stephen Harper.

The apology gave recognition and expressed deep sorrow for those children who lost their lives in the institutions; who died throughout the years; and for the loss of innocence, loss of love and caring from families whom they thought forgot about them.

The apology tells children, now elderly, that they did nothing wrong to receive sexual, physical and mental abuse.

The entire residential school policy and the Canadian government’s action were recognized as wrong and harmed thousands of innocent First Nations children, families and our nation.

Wednesday was a day for our survivors to stand front and center and hear the visiting government’s apology regarding this atrocity.

Today, we as a people, rally together to formulate a plan to further our healing and strengthen ourselves as a nation.

This issue is just the tip of the iceberg with regard to the legacy of atrocities felt by our people since the coming of the visitors to this land.

We will overcome

Chief Dean Sayers

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