Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly, on October 20, 2005, resolved to formally observe May 26th as

the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation in support of our communities, families and individuals who endure the impacts of a residential school system;

AND WHEREAS the objectives of the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation are to:

•

celebrate a positive, collective healing and

reconciliation movement within our families, communities, churches and government on May 26th each year;

•

educate ourselves and other Canadians about

our collective history of government policies which impacted Aboriginal communities and other ethnic groups; and

•

develop commemoration sites and encourage

communities to join in the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation;

AND WHEREAS the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has a mandate to learn the truth about what happened in the residential schools and document the truth of what happened by relying on records held by those who operated and funded the schools, testimony from officials of the institutions, and experiences reported by survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential schools;

AND WHEREAS the Truth and Reconciliation Commission held, and continues to hold, hearings throughout the Northwest Territories, allowing

survivors to tell their stories, share their pain and educate all Canadians about a sad and unjust part of our collective history;

AND WHEREAS June 11th is the anniversary of the

Prime Minister’s full apology on behalf of Canadians for the Indian residential schools system;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Legislative Assembly thank the members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada for the work they have done in the Northwest Territories and across Canada;

AND FURTHER, that the Legislative Assembly honour the survivors who have shared their suffering with great dignity in order to promote healing and reconciliation.

---Applause