Many people have said over the years that I've been involved in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Why can't you just get over it and move on?
And my answer has always been: Why can't you always remember this?
It's because it's important for us to remember; we learn from it. And until people show that they have learned from this, we will never forget, and we should never forget even once they have learned from it. Because this is a part of who we are. It's not just a part of who we are as survivors and children of survivors and relatives of survivors. But it is part of who we are as a nation and this nation must never forget what it once did to its most vulnerable people.
-Murray Sinclair, former Canadian Senator and former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
I want to begin by acknowledging September 30 is a very different day for Indigenous Peoples than it is for Canadians.
To our Indigenous community members, you are in my thoughts and near to my heart as I know the pain and grief that this day brings. For those who are sharing their stories, my deepest respect, care, and gratitude that you are part of our community and are willing to share the truth of residential schools so that we never forget. For those of you who are mourning family members who never came home, my heart breaks for your loss.
As former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Murray Sinclair said, “It is important for us to remember; we learn from it. And until people show that they have learned from this, we will never forget, and we should never forget even once they have learned from it.”
On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, it is important to take time to commit to learning and action throughout the year, not just today.
I encourage our VIU community to acknowledge that we each have an important role in reconciliation. Commit to learning more about the diverse experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and find opportunities for open and honest conversations among your friends, neighbours, and families.
To learn, we must continue to listen to the truth shared by the Survivors of residential schools.
In 2016, the Witness Blanket came to our Nanaimo campus. This large-scale work of art is now online and provides the opportunity to listen and learn about the experiences of residential school Survivors through hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures from across Canada.
To take action, I encourage our VIU community to take to heart the closing message of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; it is critical that the national dialogue on reconciliation continues, and each person has an important role to play.
I also encourage the VIU community to read through the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. According to the Yellowhead Institute, which publishes a report each year on the status of the 94 Calls to Action, as of 2022, only 13 of the 94 actions have been completed. At this rate, the Institute estimates it will take until 2065 to complete all 94.
Here are some of the Calls to Action related to Education:
- We call upon the federal government to develop with Aboriginal groups a joint strategy to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.
- We call upon the federal government to eliminate the discrepancy in federal education funding for First Nations children being educated on reserves and those First Nations children being educated off reserves.
- We call upon the federal government to prepare and publish annual reports comparing funding for the education of First Nations children on and off reserves, as well as educational and income attainments of Aboriginal peoples in Canada compared with non-Aboriginal people.
- We call on the federal government to draft new Aboriginal education legislation with the full participation and informed consent of Aboriginal peoples.
- We call upon the federal government to provide adequate funding to end the backlog of First Nations students seeking a post-secondary education.
- We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Aboriginal families.
On this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, please remember the children who never returned home and the Survivors of residential schools, and thoughtfully consider what actions you can take every day to support reconciliation in Canada.
Sincerely,
Dr. Deborah Saucier
President and Vice-Chancellor
