July 13, 2015
Province Announces National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Act Comes Into Force Today
– – –niversity of Manitoba to House Collection of Critical Truth and Reconciliation Commission Information: Premier Selinger
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Act was given royal assent today, making the University of Manitoba the official home to the National Centre on Indian Residential Schools, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“It is a prestigious honour that our province will be home to this centre,” Premier Selinger said. “By passing this legislation, we enable the University of Manitoba to take on the vital task of holding this information and ensuring the painful legacy of residential schools is not forgotten. These records will help researchers, survivors and future generations continue the conversation of reconciliation.”
The act supports the efforts of the University of Manitoba to maintain and manage all the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) statements and documents of former residential school survivors, their families, communities and other interested parties. The act allows for the records to be transferred from the care of the federal government and the commission to the centre.
Along with housing documents from the TRC, the new centre will build awareness of the legacy of residential schools. The act also ensures people will have the right to access their own information and family members of survivors will be able to trace a relative’s experience to better understand their history.
The establishment of a National Research Centre is included in the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The centre will ensure the records and other materials from residential schools will be preserved and accessible to the public in accordance with applicable legislation such as the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).
“It is with humility and resolve that we now take on this monumental and important task,” said Ry Moran, director, National Research Centre. “Respectful access to these records means Manitobans and Canadians everywhere will have a resource that ensures the pain and suffering caused by residential schools is not forgotten.”
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