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By Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin

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AS WE APPROACH NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY on June 21, it’s important to recognize the stark truths of the violence experienced by so many Indigenous peoples in the residential school system, and how the consequences of these atrocities continue to this day.

These truths reinforce the urgent need for all levels of government to make progress on implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action, particularly Actions 71-76. These truths also emphasize the role each and every one of us has in Canada to listen with compassion to Indigenous peoples, to honour the ongoing healing work that is required, and to consciously support efforts to fully address the lasting impacts of cultural genocide.

I deeply respect and support the leadership role Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc have taken since the remains of children were discovered at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in late May.

In Kamloops, this is the beginning of a careful process. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc will be undertaking the hard work of learning more about these children, their communities, their lives and their deaths. They have said they are the caretakers of the children, some of whom would have been brought to the residential school from neighbouring Nations.

As Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir has said, her community sought out a way to confirm this knowing out of deepest respect and love, and in the hope that the work will bring closure to those lives lost and their home communities.

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In the weeks since the findings were shared, residents of Kamloops and neighbouring communities have stepped up to demonstrate their support for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in this time of mourning. As we continue to do the work of healing and reconciliation in our province, we can all find inspiration in the leadership that the Kamloops community has shown and do what we can to support everyone who is affected now, and in the weeks, months and years to come.

I also hold deep respect for all Indigenous communities across the province and country who are grappling with this trauma and seeking to undertake investigative work and healing in their territories. Our government is working closely with our federal colleagues to support requests from First Nations in a mindful and respectful way, and with the direction and leadership provided by each Nation. As various First Nations determine the next steps they feel are most appropriate, we will take our guidance directly from them.

Reconciliation requires us to acknowledge the destructive impact residential schools continue to have on multiple generations of Indigenous peoples across our country. It also requires us to take concrete action to support Indigenous peoples in healing and in reclaiming their language, culture, identity, legal traditions and nationhood.

All ministers are charged with implementing our government’s commitment to meaningful and sustainable reconciliation. This is an ongoing process: it requires trust, transparency and accountability.

The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was an important milestone for this much needed work, but there is much more to do. Last week we invited Indigenous peoples to offer additional feedback on our draft action plan, which outlines key actions we propose to take over the next five years to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration. It is vital that the rights and priorities of Indigenous peoples are centred in this work and in all our actions towards reconciliation.

June is National Indigenous History Month, and as part of observing it, let us honour the lives of the children discovered at the former Kamloops residential school, the countless other children who never made it home, and the survivors. And let us all recommit – in our own lives and in our collective actions – to advancing reconciliation and building a province where every Indigenous person can thrive with their culture, language and rights recognized and respected.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.