Statement made on 11 June 2008 by Senator Lorna Milne (retired)
Hon. Lorna Milne:
Honourable senators, just last week I heard another tale of horror. When the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources traveled north to Tuktoyaktuk last Wednesday, we were toured around the town by Roger Gruben. He told us movingly of the difference between his treatment in a residential school and that of many of his friends.
He was in the Anglican dormitory and his best friends were boarded in the Roman Catholic dormitory right across the street. They shared desks in the common school. When the person who was in charge of his dormitory came through the room late at night, the "squeak, squeak" of his shoes on the tiled floor was a signal that all was well and they were safe. Across the street, the same "squeak, squeak" of shoes late at night meant the man they called the "Red Beast" was on the prowl and Mr. Gruben's friends would hide trembling under their blankets and pray they were not selected that night.
When they went home at Christmas or for the summer, they were afraid to tell their devout Roman Catholic parents what was happening to them at the school. Mr. Gruben's best friend was sexually abused and he later committed suicide.
We all know some very fine people who were victims of this appalling abuse. I sincerely hope that the government's apology today for this dreadful chapter in Canada's history will both begin and help the healing process that is so badly needed.