Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today’s a very emotional day for many of my constituents. I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the
official apology made earlier today by the Government of Canada. That’s an important step toward healing for many residential school survivors and those family members who have passed on.
It is an historical day for Canada. As the Member for Tu Nedhe representing many residential school survivors and families of former survivors, I would like to thank the Government of Canada for taking the responsibility to officially acknowledge many Canadians, to officially acknowledge what many Canadians have known all along: the residential school experience that was inflicted was a terrible and tragic experience for many aboriginal Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, from this day forward many will be able to complete their personal journey of healing, while for many others this marks the beginning of this personal journey of healing. June 21 is just around the corner, and it is a recognized statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories. I would like to encourage all to support and honour this special day as a special day for aboriginal people as well as all Canadians.