MCK strongly supports Truth and Reconciliation recommendations

06/02/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it strongly supports the recommendations announced today by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (‘the Commission’) in its Final Report presented to the Government of Canada.

The Commission has made 94 recommendations, with the expressed goal of repairing the damaged relationship between Canada and the people who have been living here since time immemorial.

Improvements to First Nations’ health and education are among the key recommendations, and the government is being asked to implement an Aboriginal Language Act to help preserve and promote aboriginal languages. Residential schools often stopped First Nations students from speaking their own languages.

“There is nothing I can say that can truly express the magnitude of what Canada’s First Nations experienced,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. “The report speaks for itself. The Commissioners spoke to thousands of residential school survivors and compiled incredible amounts information to come to its conclusions.”

“The fact that this report clearly uses the term ‘cultural genocide’ is important, especially coming on the heels of Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin’s similar statements,” he added. “We sincerely hope that Canada pays heed to these strong messages and takes strong and sincere actions to do what’s right. There are no more excuses for anyone to claim ignorance anymore.”

“The MCK hopes that this report helps the survivors and their families heal and move forward with their lives,” he concluded. “Kahnawà:ke was not immune to what happened – a significant number of our elders attended residential schools and some participated in the Commission hearings. In terms of their apology, Canada needs to put its resources where its mouth is.”