Ottawa, ON – (October 28, 2011) The Métis Nation acknowledges the announcement made by the Government of Canada to commemorate the legacy of the Indian residential school systems at Parliament Hill as a next step as laid out in the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
“This symbolic gesture in tribute of the legacy of those who have been affected by the residential schools system is a positive step to rebuilding a relationship with the Aboriginal peoples of Canada,” said President Chartier. “Many appreciated efforts have been made since the 2008 official apology from the Government of Canada but in follow up, I must remind Canadians that there are thousands of Métis Nation citizens that attended Métis residential schools, who experienced the same policies that Canada apologized for, that have been excluded from the Settlement Agreement and mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan announced that a permanent stained-glass window, to be designed by an Indigenous artist, will be permanently installed in the entry to the House of Commons in the Canadian Parliament.
President Chartier says there is still a lot of healing that has to happen. “We will continue to work together to uplift our people, support our community members and in time we will emerge from this dark time in our cultural history with pride. Although we are moving in the right direction there is still a lot of road to travel leading to closure on this issue for the Métis Nation.”
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For more information, please contact:
Adrian Mrdeza, Communications Officer at (613) 232-3216
The MNC represents the Métis Nation government in Canada at the national and international levels. The Métis Nation’s homeland includes the 3 Prairie Provinces and extends into Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northern United States. There are approximately 350,000 – 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada.
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