Oct 18, 2021
By Christine Ross
The chief of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation in Kamloops has publicly reprimanded Justin Trudeau for vacationing with family on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation instead of attending events honouring victims and survivors of residential schools.
“The shock, anger, sorrow and disbelief was palpable in our community and it rippled throughout the world to say the least,” said Chief Rosanne Casimir. “Today is about taking positive steps forward and rectifying a mistake.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he apologized again to the cehief and community in person.
“This morning we had an important and necessary conversation about how we, not just as Canadians, but as an entire country move forward given the reality of residential schools.”
A few dozen residential school survivors, elders and community members were there to listen to what Trudeau had to say, many of them wearing orange shirts emblazoned with “every child matters.”
Trudeau says children will be compensated, and the government will consult with Indigenous partners before the decision is made about whether to pursue further court action.
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