The second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was a sombre occasion for many in the territory.
Perhaps more so for the survivors of the Canadian Residential School System.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur words should have been taken much more seriously in the past,SA国际影视传媒� said Jack Anawak, a survivor of residential schools and former Nunavut MP.
Attempted assimilation, physical, emotional and sexual abuse took place in residential schools which operated from the late 19th century up until the late 1990s.
Having worked on bringing attention to residential schools for over 30 years, Anawak is still glad the issue is now at the forefront of national attention despite the circumstances which brought it forward.
SA国际影视传媒淲e had some successes, but it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 until the 215 unmarked graves (in Kamloops) were found, it started escalating toward everyone acknowledging that these abuses occurred,SA国际影视传媒� Anawak said.
Former Nunavut Premier and survivor Paul Quassa said Sept. 30 now serves as a day to teach Canada what the federal government has historically done to Indigenous people.
SA国际影视传媒淚ndigenous peoples are the first peoples of this land and the treatment that they got should always be in the history books,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Quassa noted apologies from former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2008, and later from Pope Francis earlier this year, as examples of the world recognizing the abuses of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 residential school system.
SA国际影视传媒淭hose are the two very important people that a lot of us had to hear from in order for us to start the healing process,SA国际影视传媒� said Quassa.
Along with the appointment of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 first Inuk Governor-General in Mary Simon, Quassa adds that itSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渁 recognition of the facts and truth of what took place and what should never take place again.SA国际影视传媒�
What Anawak hopes will come out of the recognition of residential school abuses is the introduction of more mental health resources for survivors and families going through that cycle of abuse left by those schools. He also wants to see Elders involved in mental health programs.
SA国际影视传媒淭he Elders in the community know about life in general. If we encourage the people who need help to go to Elders and talk about these things and having the necessary mental health program funding, I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e on our way back,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 happy we have come to today,SA国际影视传媒� said Anawak. SA国际影视传媒淭ikipugut, which means we have arrived SA国际影视传媒� I think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 an apt thing to say about it.SA国际影视传媒�
