Grand Chief Thompson Responds to Pembroke Daily-Observer Editorial
Ohiari:ha / June 18, 2008
Editor & Publisher
The Daily Observer
Pembroke, Ontario
Dear Editor,
I read with mixed emotions an editorial that ran in your publication on Saturday, June 14, 2008 in response to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s formal apology for the Indian Residential School System. The piece followed a long list of opinion pieces across the country that commended the Prime Minister for his heartfelt remarks.
I commend the author for echoing the sentiments of First Nation People that the apology has been long awaited and well received. As well, kudos for reiterating that the legacy of the residential school era marked a sad chapter in Canada’s history.
It was a very uplifting and congratulatory piece for the Prime Minister’s bold move to prepare and deliver his own sincere remarks. Some say that the Prime Minister’s speech was his most defining moment.
There was no need to go into the horrific acts that Indian students experienced as they were forced to assimilate into non-Native society. The chilling accounts from residential school survivors would have detracted from the author’s intent.
That was until I read the last line, “Now it has to be followed by concrete action to integrate our First Nation people into Canadian society.”
I was left puzzled as it added insult to injury for the residential school survivors. The apology recognized that prior efforts to assimilate First Nation People have not worked.
Many agree that action must now follow the Prime Minister’s words, but don’t revisit the same painful lessons. Empower and support efforts by First Nation communities to resolve our unique issues internally.
Canada needs to take the apology as a lesson learned about past efforts to “integrate” First Nation People.
Grand Chief Tim Thompson,
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
