Residential schools “an act of genocide”
Chairman of truth and reconciliation commission says Canada’s treatment of aboriginal children meets the United Nations definition.
So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL dated February 18, 2012 and written by a Chinta Puxley.
Bold headline but one that is finally said by one of significance, this time by the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “Justice Murray Sinclair says the United Nations defines genocide to include the removal of children based on race, then placing them with another race to indoctrinate them.”
Over the years, Canada has been very careful to not expose that truth. Even with its funding agreement with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF), Canada ensured AHF Board members were not to engage in any advocacy regarding its past treatment of aboriginal children. However, it would be hard pressed for Canada to quell the truth when it established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Still, even with the UN’s definition of genocide, “…the minister of Indian affairs can say this was not an act of genocide.”
With Canada’s denial of the truth, Canadians especially Survivors of the residential school system would be hard pressed to come to some sort of reconciliation. Admittance could go a long way. Perhaps, Canada should take on Jesus’ ethic, “The truth will set you free.”
