What Flag Is That 09.30.21

Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. A day designated by the Federal Government in Canada to officially confess to the truth of the horrid practices and attitudes that created The Residential School system. In Canada this practice continued for 160 years with an estimated 150,000 Indigenous children being forced from their homes and families

The Residential School System was also a fact of life in the United States. But, Canada has taken the next step and begun the process of telling the truth and attempting to reconcile this grievous sin.

There are 3 main divisions of Indigenous groups in Canada: The First Nation People; The Métis and the Inuit.

All Canadian Provinces and territories with the exception of Prince Edwards Island; Newfoundland and New Brunswick had active Residential Schools. Indian children were taken from their families, placed in these schools and forced to abandon all traditions, cultural practices and languages. The official term for this was “aggressive assimilation.”

The Residential School System was sanctioned and operated by the Canadian Government and all major Canadian Christian Churches. The ultimate goal was to “solve the Indian question” and turn the children into “good industrious workers.”

All recognized Denominations operated Residential Schools. The largest number were Roman Catholic and Presbyterian. As survivor stories came out, the most awful sexual and physical abuse came from the schools run by churches.

As the Federal Government began to uncover more and more stories of the outrageous conditions and practices they officially called for survivors to come forward and reveal the truth. The facilities were so decrepit a number of fires destroyed not only buildings but took hundreds of lives. The government began excavating grounds of former schools and uncovered hundreds of remains of children. The nation was outraged and demanded the entire truth be told and as a country reconciliation begun.

In 2008, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially proclaimed:

“The burden of this experience has been on your shoulders for far too long. The burden is properly ours as a government, and as a country. There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian residential schools system to ever prevail again. You have been working on recovering from this experience for a long time and in a very real sense, we are now joining you on this journey. The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the Aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry.”

Signs and internet info grams are nice, but when will the USA seek and tell the truth about our 367 Residential Schools? Why can’t we be courageous and find The Truth to reconcile this national sin??

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deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)