Statement made on 02 June 2009 by Senator Charlie Watt
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Senator Watt:
When I look around this chamber, I see many paintings in this room that depict wartime. As Inuit, we think differently. We are close to the land, and we do not advocate war. It is very important that we begin to reflect our culture in public places such as this one.
The Prime Minister's apology to the Indian residential school students was made public to all Canadians. Until today, we have not made any movement to resolve anything on Indian residential schools. I read that a member of the First Nations, Harry LaForme, who chaired the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission since April, has resigned. As we all know, the truth and reconciliation appointments are taking so long. Are you up to date with what is happening?
Ms. Simon: Yes, that is so true. I would very much like to see art that depicts positive things by Inuit and that reflects our closeness to the environment and our culture and lifestyle. We need to see more of that.
After the Prime Minister apologized to Inuit, First Nations and Metis with respect to their residential school experiences, it was part of the agreement that the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be established, but the chairperson resigned. Shortly after, another two people resigned from the commission. They all will have to be replaced.
Since April, we have been waiting for the federal government to appoint three new commissioners. We do not know when the federal government will make those formal appointments. I concur with you that this must happen quickly. When I spoke with Minister Strahl in April, we both agreed that it was urgent that the appointments be made. We expected the appointments to be made this June, but nothing has been confirmed.
Senator Watt: The Inuit culture is different from First Nations' and Metis' cultures and languages. The abuses against Inuit were also quite different. They happened in a different environment and the distance was far greater when they removed Inuit children from their families and homes. The experiences were different, although they were all put into the residential school system.
We need to have some input, not just one Inuk but maybe two co-chairs, one representing First Nations and Metis and the other representing Inuit. The presence of Inuit must be taken seriously at the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There is much work to be done on reconciliation and, if we do not get off to a good start, more problems will arise as a result of the slow process. How seriously are we taking it?
Ms. Simon: It is creating more problems.
Senator Watt, in our discussions with the Government of Canada, we have tried to ensure that there is proper Inuit representation in the work of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I am not at liberty to divulge how those discussions took place at the committee I sat on, but we have insisted that during the process of the work over the next five years that the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission will undertake, we need a process that will recognize Inuit-specific issues. As you said, the Inuit went through similar but different processes in the residential school era. We need to ensure that Inuit are not side-stepped in any way when this commission does its work. Given that we are remote and fewer in number, there can be a tendency in certain situations to move us to the side. We are working hard to ensure that that does not happen.
The appointment of the commissioners is in the hands of the federal government. Once we find out who they will be, we will work very hard to ensure that Inuit are an integral part of their work.