Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

December 15, 2015

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Provides Blueprint for Canadians: Premier Selinger



The province of Manitoba congratulated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on the release of its final report on the legacy of the residential school system in Canada and supports the calls to action as presented by Justice Murray Sinclair, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.

“We respect the findings of the commission’s report and recognize our role in the reconciliation process.  This report provides a blueprint for Canadians and is an important starting point for the healing process that will lead to a new relationship with Indigenous people,” said Premier Selinger.  “It is an honour that Manitoba is home to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.”

More than 150,000 Indigenous children went through the residential school system.  As a result, for more than 100 years parents were not allowed to raise their own children, resulting in horrible consequences for communities and families, the premier said.  The intergenerational effects continue today, as residential school survivors struggle to raise their families with cultural traditions that were taken away from them, he added.  After more than six years, over 2 million words and six volumes, the TRC has compiled a comprehensive history of residential schools where over 3,200 deaths occurred.

“Combined with the recently announced inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Canada now has a unique opportunity to forge a new nation-to-nation relationship with the Indigenous people of this country,” Premier Selinger added.

The province also supports the commissioners in their recognition of the exclusion of Métis students from the residential school settlement agreement and the unique challenges faced by Inuit Canadians.  The province eagerly awaits the details of the two volumes that specifically address the Métis exclusion and the Inuit and Northern experience.   

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson, deputy premier of Manitoba, is himself a residential school survivor and was in Ottawa today to represent Manitoba at the release ceremony.

“This report represents the pain and suffering of more than 6,000 brave individuals who came forward to tell their stories to the commission,” Minister Robinson said.  “We intend to honour them by respecting the findings of the report and we will continue working toward a solution that allows survivors of the residential school system to heal.”

The Manitoba government is a leader in the pursuit of reconciliation and has been taking many unilateral steps to be more inclusive towards Indigenous communities, Premier Selinger said.  Over the last few years, it has:

  • formed the Aboriginal Issues Committee of Cabinet (AICC);
  • named the first Cree deputy premier in Canada;
  • apologized for the historical event known as the ‘60s Scoop;
  • passed the Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act in 2010;
  • fostered First Nation partnerships with Manitoba Hydro;
  • appointed a special advisor on Indigenous women’s issues;
  • recognized the legislative assembly of Assiniboia; and
  • acknowledged the contributions of the Métis in the creation of Manitoba.

This fall, the province also introduced proposed legislation that would ensure all Manitoba students and teachers would learn about the histories and cultures of Indigenous people, the legacy of residential schools and the significance of treaties in the present day.

Currently plans are underway for Manitoba to host the second national roundtable on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the premier said.  In his discussions with the other premiers, Premier Selinger undertook to have Manitoba host these meetings.

Today’s announcement by the province reinforces a previous government-wide commitment to work with First Nation, Métis and Inuit stakeholders, as well as non-governmental organizations on the ongoing, long-term implementation of the calls to action recommended by Chief Justice Sinclair, Premier Selinger said. 

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED


 




Backgrounder
Background Information - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2015/12/RLS-TRC_Recommendations_BG-PR-AN.doc